SCOIL NAIS FININ NAOFA
School Details
About
St. Finian’s National School is a vibrant, co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Clonard, County Meath. Operating under the patronage of the Meath Diocese, the school welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds and is committed to the holistic development of each pupil – intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually. The ethos promotes a friendly, caring and inclusive atmosphere that reflects Christian values while embracing diversity. The school benefits from modern, well‑maintained facilities that have been extended in 2003 and 2011 and recently refurbished, providing bright, clean and colourful learning environments. It offers three mainstream classes and two dedicated special classes for children with autism, supported by specialist staff. Additional provisions include a breakfast club from 8:00 am, a free hot meal programme supplied by The Lunch Bag, and a uniform policy that supports a sense of community. Extracurricular activities such as STEAM projects, active school programmes and after‑school care through a local provider further enrich the pupil experience.
History
The present school building was constructed in 1910–1911, designed by Thomas McNamara and built with Dolphin’s Barn brick at a cost of £803, replacing an earlier school that dated from 1830. The original school replaced an even older facility mentioned in an 1826 education report. Extensions were added in 1969, with major modern extensions in 2003 and 2011, and a recent refurbishment has kept the premises up‑to‑date for contemporary teaching and learning.