Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School
School Details
Location
About
Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School is a small, co‑educational primary school set in a rural environment close to the satellite town of Carrigaline and the bustling industries of Cork Harbour. The school caters for 58 pupils and provides a dedicated Special Class, ensuring inclusive education for children with additional needs. A team of class teachers, learning support and resource staff, as well as special needs assistants, work together to create a nurturing atmosphere where each child is known personally and encouraged to develop their unique gifts. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, supporting pupils emotionally, socially and academically. Modern facilities include updated toilets, sinks, central heating and a tarmacked playground, reflecting a history of continual improvement driven by active parental involvement. Community engagement is evident through regular events such as beach clean‑ups, autism assistance dog visits and local sports activities, fostering a sense of belonging and civic responsibility among the learners.
History
Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School was founded in 1898 to serve children from Loughbeg, Barnahely and Ringaskiddy Village, originally operating as separate boys’ and girls’ schools in a single building. In February 1938 the school became co‑educational, and during the 1960s the internal dividing walls were removed, giving the school its present layout. Improvements over the decades included the installation of water‑fed toilets and a tarmacked yard in the late 1950s, oil‑fired central heating and lowered ceilings in 1969, and the addition of modern furniture, sinks and further toilet facilities in the early 1980s. In 1996 the one‑teacher school on Haulbowline Naval Base closed and amalgamated with the school, prompting the current name, Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School.