Rath Eoghan National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Mary’s National School, Rathowen, is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in County Westmeath. The school’s ethos is founded on a caring and happy environment where children are encouraged to develop academically, socially and spiritually. Emphasis is placed on partnership with parents and the wider community, fostering a sense of worth and belonging in each pupil. The curriculum is balanced, integrating core subjects with Irish cultural elements such as music, language, sport, dancing and traditional customs, while also promoting respect for other faiths and religions. The school aims to nurture each child’s talents and prepare them for further education, offering opportunities to reach their full potential. Its motto, *Ag Fás is ag fóglaim le chéile* (“Growing and proclaiming together”), reflects a commitment to collective growth, charity, justice and tolerance. Facilities have expanded over the decades to accommodate growing enrolments, and the school provides resources such as a current school booklet and enrolment forms to support families.
History
St. Mary’s N.S., Rathowen was established in 1937 as a two‑teacher school under the leadership of Master McGarry, with separate entry doors for boys and girls. In 1968, declining parish numbers led to the amalgamation of Corry N.S. with Rathowen N.S. The following year a third classroom was added and Seamus McElwee became principal, marking the transition to a three‑teacher school in the mid‑1970s. Padraig Flynn took the helm in 1982; during his tenure the school’s roll fluctuated, at times reverting to a two‑teacher model. Sheila Lambden succeeded him in 2012, and David Morgan was appointed principal in 2019.