Faha National School
School Details
Location
About
Faha National School is a rural, co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of County Kerry. It provides a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential through a broad, balanced curriculum that blends academic rigour with creativity, music, sport and the arts. The school places a strong emphasis on curiosity, kindness and respect, aiming to develop confident, caring and responsible members of society while maintaining close partnerships with parents, the local community and the parish. The campus comprises nine mainstream classrooms together with specialised spaces such as an autism classroom, a sensory room, a library, a first‑aid room and a multi‑purpose G.P. hall. Extensive gardens and a purpose‑built astroturf pitch support outdoor learning and physical development, and a recent modular unit adds further classroom capacity. With a staff team of 26 supporting over 220 pupils, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts and music programmes, ensuring each child can discover and develop their individual talents.
History
The origins of Faha National School date back to 1834 when a single‑room schoolhouse was erected at Faha Cross, financed by local landowner Mrs Raymond for the education of parish boys. An 1849 extension accommodated girls, and the first principals were Mr Sylvester O’Shea and later Mr Michael McGillycuddy. Rapid enrolment growth led to a new two‑room building completed in October 1880, with teaching commencing in July 1881 under Mr John McGillycuddy (boys) and Mrs Sarah O’Dowd (girls). Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the school saw a succession of principals, including Richard McCarthy (1896) and Seán Moriarty (1918). In 1939 major renovations created mixed‑gender classrooms, marking the start of co‑education. The 1960s amalgamations incorporated the Kilbonane and Rockfield catchment areas, prompting the addition of prefabricated classrooms. A modern purpose‑built facility was opened in 1995, with further extensions in 2009, 2016 and 2018 (including a state‑of‑the‑art astroturf pitch). A modular unit added in August 2025 expanded mainstream capacity, and by September 2025 the school served 224 pupils.