Bishop Shanahan National School
School Details
Location
About
Bishop Shanahan National School is a Catholic co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Templeogue, serving children from Junior Infants to Second Class. The school’s ethos combines a warm, inclusive atmosphere with a strong emphasis on Christian values, compassion and respect for all faiths. Learning is framed as a collaborative partnership between staff, parents and the wider parish community, aiming to nurture each child’s self‑worth, confidence and holistic development. The school offers a range of contemporary facilities that support both academic and personal growth. An outdoor classroom, climbing wall, courtyard and dedicated green‑school initiatives provide experiential learning opportunities, while restorative practice programmes foster a positive, supportive culture. Communication with families is streamlined through the Aladdin App and regular newsletters, and the curriculum follows the latest national Primary Curriculum Framework, including updated language and mathematics programmes. A vibrant after‑school programme adds drama, arts, Irish dancing, fitness, music and science clubs, reinforcing the school’s commitment to a well‑rounded education.
History
Bishop Shanahan National School opened as a junior school on 1 September 1979 with eight classes (four Junior and four Senior Infant streams) to relieve capacity pressures at the nearby Bishop Galvin National School. The Holy Ghost Fathers donated part of the land, and the school was named after Bishop Joseph Shanahan, a notable Holy Ghost missionary. It was one of the first co‑educational schools in the area. The permanent school building was inaugurated in January 1987, and enrolments grew to a peak of 719 pupils. Today the school educates approximately 449 pupils, supported by eighteen mainstream teachers, six special‑education teachers and fourteen Special Needs Assistants, and continues to provide a broad range of extra‑curricular activities and strong community links.