Ballyguiltenane National School
School Details
Location
About
Ballyguiltenane National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that aims to create a nurturing learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop their full and unique potential as human beings. The school’s ethos stresses a well‑ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere that meets the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils. While rooted in a Catholic tradition, the school recognises and respects other religious beliefs, promoting an inclusive community that values gender equality and the development of the Irish language as a medium of interaction. The school provides a range of facilities that support both academic and extracurricular activities. Modernised classrooms sit alongside a purpose‑built staff room, upgraded water supply and filtration systems, and new internal wall linings. Outdoor amenities include a well‑maintained games pitch, a basketball court, a resurfaced playground and a car park for staff and parents. Recent improvements such as new toilets, roof insulation and a reliable water well demonstrate the school’s commitment to providing a safe, comfortable and contemporary environment for its pupils. Strong parental involvement is encouraged through regular information evenings, parent‑teacher meetings and an active Parents Association. The school also prioritises the professional and personal development of its staff through ongoing development programmes, ensuring that teaching practices remain current and effective.
History
Ballyguiltenane National School was constructed between 1874 and 1876, initially comprising two classrooms; a further two classrooms were added eight years later. The original building was erected by contractor James O Driscoll with builders Dan and Tom Culhane, Glin, and Milke Higgins of Rathkeale, and the furniture was locally made. Early fees were one penny per week and the curriculum included English, reading, writing, maths, sewing, knitting, religion, gardening, history, geography and domestic science, with a strong emphasis on English literature such as Shakespeare, Tennyson, Wordsworth and Southey. By the early 1900s Irish and mathematics classes were offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Throughout the 20th century the school evolved: holidays were formalised in 1926, a television was installed by Canon Michael Ryan for community use, and mass and stations were celebrated on site until 1977. The 1970s saw the addition of toilets and a staff room, followed by further staff facilities in the 1980s. A field was purchased and developed as a games pitch in 1992, and a car park was built in 1996. Major upgrades from 2002 to 2010 included a new water well, concrete flooring, water filtration, internal dry‑lining, roof and attic insulation, new toilets, a playground extension with a basketball court, and full resurfacing of the school yard.