S N PADRAIG
School Details
About
Saint Patrick’s National School is a co‑educational Roman Catholic primary school situated in the historic parish of Monasterboice, about 6 km north of Drogheda. The school provides an inclusive, supportive environment for both mainstream pupils and special‑needs classes, including dedicated autism provision. A strong partnership with parents and the wider community underpins a curriculum that balances academic rigour with moral development, nurturing values such as honesty, respect, civic responsibility and fairness. The school offers a broad range of subjects – Mathematics, English, Gaeilge, Music, Visual Arts, Science, History, Geography, Drama, SPHE and Religious Education – complemented by a rich extracurricular programme that includes swimming, Gaelic football, soccer, basketball, yoga, gymnastics and participation in local competitions. Facilities feature extensive playgrounds, a football field with a perimeter walkway, a large multipurpose hall used for PE, assemblies and concerts, and modern classrooms and learning‑support rooms added through recent building projects. The school’s commitment to health and activity is reflected in its recent Active Flag award.
History
The present school originated from the amalgamation of the Ballymakenny (founded 1847) and Fieldstown (founded 1881) schools, a recommendation made by Cardinal Conway in 1966. A three‑acre site was purchased for £300 and construction began in January 1968. The school opened in January 1970 with 84 pupils and four teachers, and was officially opened by Minister for Education Pádraig Faulkner in June 1970. Extensions were added in the mid‑1970s, and by 1988 the roll had risen to 245 pupils, prompting further classroom re‑configuration. Prefabricated buildings were introduced in 2007, and a major new building programme delivered three classrooms, learning‑support rooms and a purpose‑built PE hall between 2012 and 2013. In September 2022 a special class for autistic pupils was launched, followed by a second class in September 2024, reinforcing the school’s inclusive ethos.