SCOIL NAIS DEAGLAIN
School Details
About
St. Declan’s National School is a co‑educational, Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in the rapidly expanding town of Ashbourne. It serves roughly 620‑650 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class and employs over 40 staff members, including a dedicated team of special‑education teachers. The school welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive community where every pupil is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The learning environment combines traditional values with modern resources. Recent refurbishments have produced a spacious, well‑stocked library for both junior and senior sections, and the school embraces digital learning to support contemporary curricula. A strong emphasis is placed on extra‑curricular activities, with pupils participating in athletics, basketball, swimming, Gaelic football and a long‑standing choir programme. Facilities have been expanded in recent years to include four new classrooms, a larger staff room, specialised special‑education rooms, upgraded yard areas, a one‑way staff car park and landscaped exteriors, all contributing to a safe and stimulating setting for holistic development.
History
A 1836 survey recorded five schools in the parish, leading to the establishment of a national school under the Education Act in the 1830s, initially led by Mr O’Brien and rented from local landowner Mr Bourne. In 1842 Mrs O’Brien joined as his assistant, and a girls’ school opened in 1848 under her leadership. Following the construction of a new church in 1889, the two schools were merged into a single institution. Patrick Geraghty served as principal for 44 years until 1934. A new school building opened in 1953, expanding further in the 1960s. Under Con Keohane’s principalship from 1966, the school grew to a 16‑teacher facility in April 1977, located in Garden City. Subsequent developments included additional classrooms and staff facilities in 2014‑15, new special‑education rooms and exterior works in 2017‑18, and the appointment of Cian Kearins as principal in September 2018.