Kilcornan National School
School Details
Location
About
Kilcornan National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Kilcornan, Pallaskenry, County Limerick. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while respecting the religious diversity of its community, aiming to nurture the wellbeing of every child. Its mission centres on creating a caring environment that supports academic achievement alongside the development of social, personal, sporting, artistic and musical talents. The campus combines the original 1953 building with later extensions, including a double prefabricated unit added in the 1970s and two new classrooms created during extensive renovations in the early 1990s. These facilities provide spacious classrooms, dedicated areas for arts and crafts, music and drama, and ample outdoor space for sport and recreation. A vibrant extracurricular programme offers activities such as sport, dance, drama, music, arts & crafts and a student council, encouraging pupils to explore interests beyond the core curriculum. The school places a strong emphasis on community involvement, with regular news updates, events and a transparent enrolment process. Parents are kept informed through newsletters and a school calendar, reinforcing the partnership between home and school in supporting each child’s holistic development.
History
The origins of Kilcornan National School date back to 1828 when the newly completed St John the Baptist church led to the conversion of the old stone chapel in Stonehall into a schoolhouse. After the thatched roof was destroyed in the “Night of the Big Wind” of 1839, a purpose‑built stone school was erected in 1841 on land donated by Sir Aubrey de Vere; it housed two classrooms and operated with a modest fee structure. In March 1940 Fr D. Fitzgerald secured a new site for the present school, and construction began in 1950, culminating in the opening and blessing of the new building in September 1953. Subsequent developments included a double prefabricated unit in the 1970s and extensive renovations in the early 1990s that added two further classrooms. Over the decades the school has been led by a succession of principals, guiding its growth while maintaining its community‑focused ethos.