Ballintemple National School
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Iósaf Naofa, Ballintemple is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds. The school provides a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils are identified and nurtured. A balanced programme of creative, sporting and academic activities enables each child to develop holistically, with particular emphasis on respect, tolerance and the celebration of individual talents. The school operates on a split site: the infant classes are housed on Crab Lane while the senior classes occupy premises on Boreenmanna Road. With a current enrolment of 254 children, the staff team includes ten mainstream teachers, four additional education teachers and four Special Needs Assistants, supported by a dedicated Board of Management, an active Parents’ Association and a supportive patron. State funding and Catholic patronage underpin the ethos, while the school’s inclusive approach ensures that every child is valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential in a safe, nurturing setting.
History
Although Scoil Iósaf Naofa first opened its doors in 1904, school records date back to 1885 when children were taught in a two‑roomed school‑house at the entrance to Maryville Estate in Ballintemple Village. Early roll books reveal the occupations of parents—porters, sailors, gardeners, labourers, and later coachmen, car‑owners and telegraph operators—reflecting the community’s evolving economy. The First World War brought an increase in soldiers’ children, and the 1920s saw enrolments from families linked to the newly established Ford plant at Beaumont. Irish language entries appeared from 1928, with all names recorded in Irish by 1931. Post‑World War II records show children of workers from Dunlop, ESB, Shell and other industries, illustrating the school’s long‑standing connection to the local workforce and its adaptability through changing times.