S N BREANDAN NAOFA
School Details
About
St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole is a co‑educational primary school operating under the Department of Education and the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Kerry. Situated in the rural village of Rathcoole between Millstreet and Banteer, the school serves 86 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class. It delivers the full Irish National Curriculum and places a strong emphasis on holistic development through a broad programme of music, sport, environmental education and health promotion. The school benefits from modern facilities following a major extension in 2008 that added two contemporary classrooms and a large purpose hall. In summer 2024 a modular building was introduced to accommodate additional learning classes, further enhancing the learning environment. Extra‑curricular provision includes whole‑class tin‑whistle instruction, choral singing, an annual whole‑school musical, swimming lessons at Mallow Swimming Pool, and a wide range of educational field trips covering heritage, science and the arts. St. Brendan’s is committed to environmental stewardship, holding six Green Flags and working towards the Global Citizenship Energy flag, with recycling stations for paper, cardboard and plastic. The school also promotes active lifestyles through athletics, GAA football, camogie, gymnastics and basketball, and has earned the Health Promoting School Award, fostering mindfulness, friendship and healthy choices. An active Parents Association supports the school’s initiatives and community links.
History
The school celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2023, indicating its establishment around 1853. In 2008, under the Department of Education’s Small Schools’ Devolved grant scheme, St. Brendan’s underwent a major extension and refurbishment, adding two modern classrooms and a large purpose hall. To meet the needs of additional learning classes, a modular building was provided in summer 2024.