Monksland National School
School Details
Location
About
Monksland National School is a warm, community‑centred, co‑educational primary school situated on the scenic Cooley Peninsula in County Louth. It welcomes children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and provides a balanced provision of six mainstream classes together with two dedicated Autism Spectrum (AS) classes. A robust support team—including special education teachers, additional needs assistants and ancillary staff—ensures that every pupil receives the individual attention required to thrive academically, socially and spiritually within a Catholic ethos. The school’s educational philosophy combines high expectations with strong, nurturing support, aiming to make learning joyful, meaningful and inclusive. Partnerships with parents and the wider parish community are central to fostering each child’s intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development. Recent enhancements to the campus include a modernised entrance, additional classrooms, a contemporary office, sensory rooms, a soft‑play yard and upgraded facilities, all designed to accommodate a growing roll of 139 pupils and to support a vibrant, forward‑looking learning environment.
History
The origins of Monksland National School date back to the 1840s when Rev. Edward Holland secured funding from the National Board, leading to the opening of the original school in Grange in October 1842. After 120 years of service, a new building was erected half a mile away in 1960. The school celebrated the 50th anniversary of this building in 2010, at which time it had four teachers and fewer than 90 pupils. Expansion continued with a new extension in 2015, adding a new entrance, extra classrooms, a modern office and updated facilities. In 2023 the school further expanded to include two AS classes, sensory rooms and a soft‑play yard. Today the roll stands at 139 children supported by a staff of 30. Principals since 1960: Mr George Lowe (1960‑61), Mr Dermot Keelan (1961‑75), Mr Micheál Dineen (1975‑2002), Mr Peter McCaul (2003‑09), Mr John Farrell (2009‑20), Ms Síle Murnaghan (2020‑present).