Beheymore National School
School Details
Location
About
Beheymore National School is a rural primary school situated 2.5 km from the roundabout at Judges Garage on the Sligo Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo, with the Ox Mountains to the east, Nephin to the west and, on clear days, the outline of Croagh Patrick visible on the horizon. The school benefits from a modern, purpose‑built complex that was expanded in 2011 and 2013, providing state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, a well‑equipped learning support suite and specialist facilities such as an Astroturf pitch, a fully developed playground and a sensory garden added in 2015. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental stewardship and physical wellbeing: the school earned its 6th Green Flag in 2013, an Award of Excellence in Science, and the Active School Flag in 2014 for promoting a physically active community. Pupils also engage with technology through a Media Team that maintains the website and a Film Club that has achieved national recognition at the Fís (Film in Schools) Festival. The school community is diverse, with many third‑generation families alongside newer families from a range of ethnic backgrounds, fostering a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere.
History
Beheymore National School was founded in 1878 as a one‑room National School located 2.5 miles from Ballina Post Office, enrolling 149 pupils in its first year. The school expanded to four rooms in 1930 and, after decades of community effort, a new three‑acre campus was opened in 1971, funded by a board committee led by Fr Tuffy. Over the years the staff grew from a single teacher in 1877 to a team of over a dozen permanent teachers, support assistants and ancillary staff by 2011. Milestones include a 125‑year celebration in 2003, the addition of modern extensions in 2011 and 2013, and the development of extensive outdoor and sensory facilities. The school’s history reflects a continuous commitment to adapting its provision to the needs of its rural community.