Cullina National School
School Details
Location
About
Cullina National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school located in Beaufort, Killarney, County Kerry, approximately seven miles from Killarney town and set against the foothills of Carrauntuohill. The school serves children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class and follows the curriculum prescribed by the Department of Education and Science, delivering a broad range of subjects including Gaeilge, English, Mathematics, Social, Environmental and Scientific Education, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Music, Drama, SPHE and Religion. The learning environment is supported by a dedicated team of fourteen staff members, comprising classroom teachers, special educational needs (SEN) teachers and specialists for the two special‑education classrooms. Facilities include modern classroom spaces and an astroturf pitch, which has been the focus of recent community fundraising initiatives. The school operates a structured timetable with opening hours from 9:00 am and staggered closing times for younger and older pupils, providing regular breaks to support pupil wellbeing and engagement. The ethos of Cullina National School emphasises the holistic development of each child—cognitive, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual—encouraging a living relationship with God and with others, and fostering a Christian philosophy of life throughout the school community.
History
Cullina National School was established in 1835, following the 1831 National Education Act which enabled Catholic education. A grant of £200, land and a site were provided by Kane O’Mahony of Cullina House, leading to the construction of a two‑storey building where girls were taught on the upper floor and boys on the ground floor. Early leadership included Mrs Reidy as the first Girls’ Principal, succeeded by Catherine Coghlan (1910), Mary Coghlan (1920) and Bridget Coghlan until the schools amalgamated. The boys’ side saw principals such as Mr Reidy, Peter Coghlan and his descendants, culminating in Peter Coughlan’s 44‑year tenure after the present school building was erected in 1950. Subsequent principals have included Stephen O’Shea, Nora Mai Kelliher, Bertie O Connor, Moira Cronin and the current principal, Leona Twiss.