Brannoxtown Community National School
School Details
Location
About
Brannoxtown Community National School opened as a Community National School in September 2018 under the patronage of the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board. Situated a short ten‑minute drive from Naas and five minutes from Kilcullen, the school serves the local community with a clear set of four values chosen by the children – Respect, Teamwork, Effort and Ambition. These values underpin a learning environment that aims to develop competence and confidence, encouraging pupils to flourish as both learners and individuals. The ethos places the school at the heart of the community, promotes high standards, celebrates diversity and fosters strong communication with parents and local organisations. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A listed 1885 school‑house, originally built from stone supplied by Portlester Castle, now houses a large classroom, offices, staff room and toilets. Complementing this, a state‑of‑the‑art new building opened in 2013 provides four spacious, technology‑rich classrooms, dedicated workspaces and storage, with two downstairs rooms currently used for Junior and Senior classes and an upstairs room serving as an indoor gym and recreation space for rainy‑day activities. Together these spaces support a holistic approach to education, addressing intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development.
History
The school’s origins date back to 1885 when John La Touche of Harristown Estate established a Baptist school on the site, using stone from Portlester Castle. The original building, part‑Norman castle and now a listed structure, has undergone several refurbishments, the latest in 2012. The school closed in 1904, becoming a private residence, before reopening as a Catholic school in 1929 under the leadership of Ms Duffy until 1972. In September 2018 the institution entered its third phase of development, becoming Brannoxtown Community National School under the patronage of the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board, marking its transition from Baptist to Catholic to Community National School.