Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough
School Details
Location
About
Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Ballinlough is a warm, welcoming and inclusive primary school that has been at the heart of its community since the 1940s. The school follows a holistic educational philosophy, giving equal priority to the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic and creative development of each pupil. Over eight years of attendance, children are encouraged to become well‑rounded learners, confident in both academic pursuits and personal growth, with a strong emphasis on music, the arts and a thriving extracurricular programme. The campus blends historic charm with modern facilities. The original building, dating from the 1940s, housed three classrooms with traditional fireplaces, while a 1999 extension added two further classrooms, a spacious hall and a staffroom to accommodate the growing enrolment. Uniforms reflect the school’s heritage, evolving from the first navy gymslip to the current wine‑coloured blazer and badge. A vibrant school life is supported by active choirs, STEM activities, community projects and regular news updates that celebrate student achievements and community involvement.
History
Our Lady of Lourdes National School opened before Easter 1944 in the former Blackrock Parish, following the laying of its foundation stone in 1943 by Canon Murphy. The school began with roughly sixty pupils aged four to twelve, three classrooms, a large cloakroom and a senior room equipped for cooking lessons, all heated by fireplaces. Early growth saw the addition of three extra classrooms and the decoration of the Infant room with original paintings by Miss Kathleen Lynch, some of which remain today. The school earned the “Carlyle and Blake” award for excellence in its early years. A succession of principals guided the school through the decades, with notable milestones including the introduction of the first school uniform in Cork and the formation of celebrated choirs such as the Victoria Singers and the Knockrea Singers. In 1999, Minister Mícheál Martin opened a new extension comprising two classrooms, a hall and a staffroom, reflecting the continued increase in pupil numbers. The school today upholds the high academic and cultural standards set by its founders.