Our Ladys Meadow National School
School Details
Location
About
Our Ladys Meadow National School is a Catholic co‑educational primary school situated in Durrow, operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Ossory and the governance of an eight‑member Board of Management. The school follows the guidelines of the Department of Education and Science and is committed to best practice in teaching and learning. It celebrates the individuality of each pupil, nurturing intellectual, social and emotional development so that every child can reach their full potential. The school’s facilities have developed from the original six‑classroom building, which also housed a general‑purpose room, office, staff room and kitchenette, to include an additional classroom, two extra offices and dedicated Learning Support rooms. With a current enrolment of 95 boys and 94 girls, the school provides a balanced, inclusive environment where pupils benefit from a strong Catholic ethos, a supportive community and a focus on holistic education.
History
In 1983 a new primary school was constructed on the left of Castle Avenue and named Our Ladys Meadow PS, succeeding the Convent Primary School in Castle Durrow. Designed by John Stewart MRIAI, the original premises comprised six classrooms, a GP room, office, staff room and kitchenette. The school was initially run by the Presentation Sisters, catering for boys and girls up to First class and girls to Sixth class, while a separate boys’ school on Kilkenny Road served Second to Sixth class. The first lay principal was appointed in 1992 and the last Presentation Sister left in 1994, after which trusteeship passed to the Bishop of Ossory. In 1997 the Kilkenny Road boys’ school amalgamated with Our Ladys Meadow, creating a single co‑educational primary school. Subsequent growth led to the addition of an extra classroom, two offices and Learning Support rooms. Current enrolment stands at 95 boys and 94 girls.