Ardkeenan National School
School Details
Location
About
Ardkeenan National School is a mainstream co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Elphin, situated in the picturesque parish of Drum, just a five‑minute drive from Athlone town in County Roscommon. The school welcomes boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and currently educates around 85 pupils. Its ethos centres on providing high‑quality learning experiences that encourage each child to reach their full and unique potential, fostering a positive, tight‑knit community that supports effective learning and personal development. The school benefits from a range of facilities that have been expanded over the years, with major extensions added in 1995, 2017 and 2021, including a large new classroom and a linking corridor. A dedicated team of six teachers (four mainstream and two special‑educational) together with a part‑time special needs assistant deliver a supportive curriculum. Extra‑curricular provision includes a Before‑School Club from 8 am and an After‑School Club operating 2 pm‑6 pm, Monday to Friday, providing additional enrichment and care for families.
History
Ardkeenan National School has occupied its present site since 1935. Originally a modest rural school, it has grown to a six‑teacher institution (four mainstream class teachers, two special‑educational teachers) with a part‑time special needs assistant. The school was extended in 1995, again in 2017, and most recently in 2021 when a large classroom and link corridor were added. Set in idyllic surroundings, it lies only five miles from the centre of Athlone and is served by Bus Éireann and Willie Moores bus companies.