Cloonakilla National School
School Details
Location
About
Cloonakilla National School is a vibrant primary school that places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of pupils, staff and families. A dedicated Wellbeing Resources hub provides families with tools to support health, happiness and mental health both at school and at home. The school runs a range of enrichment activities such as Maths Week, Science Week and “Funky Fridays”, which promote creative learning and social interaction while reinforcing the importance of mental wellbeing. The school operates a modern, state‑of‑the‑art campus that was opened in September 2017, replacing the original 1958 building and its temporary prefabs. Facilities now accommodate sixteen class teachers, six special educational needs (SEN) teachers and five school‑nominated assistants (SNAs), enabling a broad, inclusive curriculum. A Coiste Gaelbhratach drives the development of Irish language provision, reflecting the school’s commitment to cultural heritage and bilingual education.
History
Cloonakilla National School was established in 1958 as a two‑teacher school under Principal Mr A. Faulkner and assistant Mrs Quinn. Subsequent expansions added classrooms in 1984 and 1990, and a major renovation of the original building was completed in 2003. After the retirement of Principal Michael O’Grady in 2006, Mary O’Rourke became principal, and in December 2010 Mary Fitzpatrick retired after 34 years of service. The school now employs sixteen class teachers, six SEN teachers and five SNAs, and moved into new state‑of‑the‑art premises in September 2017.