Kiltallagh National School
School Details
Location
About
Kiltallagh National School is a small, rural, co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Castlemaine, County Kerry. The school adopts an inclusive, child‑centred ethos that seeks to “nurture minds to think, hands to create and hearts to love”, providing a warm and supportive environment where each child’s individuality is celebrated. With a low pupil‑to‑teacher ratio, the school can offer personalised instruction, close monitoring of learning progress and strong relationships between pupils, staff and families. The school benefits from modern learning resources, including interactive touch‑screen whiteboards in every classroom, a rechargeable trolley of laptops, individual iPads for student use and a well‑stocked special‑education resource library. Outdoor facilities feature a playground with soft‑play tiles, a jungle gym swing, sand pit and a range of PE equipment. Additional provisions include a reliable Bus Éireann school‑bus service covering a wide catchment area, an after‑school care programme, and a free hot lunch scheme that provides nutritious meals prepared by a local caterer. Creative initiatives such as Buddy Reading, Lego Legends, mural projects and themed engineering challenges further enrich the curriculum and foster a vibrant school life.
History
Kiltallagh National School opened its doors on 6 September 1938 under the management of Rev. R.H. Thompson. Extensions were added in 1965 and 1976. It is one of only two schools in Kerry under Church of Ireland patronage, welcoming pupils of all faiths. Today the school operates a multi‑class environment with two class teachers, a special‑education teacher, a part‑time EAL teacher and support staff, educating 28 pupils across junior (infants and 1st–2nd class) and senior (3rd–6th class) rooms. The school provides daily transport from surrounding villages and an after‑school service for local children.