Scoil Naisiunta Cill Conaill
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Cill Conaill is a co‑educational national school situated in the historic village of Kilconnell, County Galway, about 14 km from Ballinasloe. The school operates three mainstream classrooms that cater for Junior and Senior Infants, 1st–3rd class and 4th–6th class pupils. A caring ethos underpins everyday life, promoting respectful relationships between staff and pupils and encouraging each child to reach their full potential holistically. The school works in partnership with parents through an active Parents Association, fostering a collaborative environment that supports learning and community involvement. The campus benefits from a range of on‑site facilities, including its own playground, sports pitch, garden, basketball and tennis courts, and a dedicated PE hall. Additional indoor training space is available at the nearby Kilconnell Community Centre, while the Kilconnell Community Park and garden provide a natural setting for nature walks and Active School flag events. The school’s Christian ethos is reflected in its mission to provide an inclusive education that nurtures talent, mutual respect, responsibility and Christian love, preparing pupils to become confident members of society.
History
The school is set within the picturesque village of Kilconnell, which is closely linked to the historic Kilconnell Abbey. The Abbey was constructed between 1340 and 1400 by the O’Kellys and O’Donnellans of Hymany and was originally occupied by Franciscan friars. Notable features included seven stone altars, a 108‑foot tower with a bell whose sound could be heard seven miles away, and a well known as “the Lantern” that never dries. Although the Abbey was unroofed by Ginkel’s soldiers after the Battle of Aughrim in 1691, its stone door and window frames remain, and the site is still well preserved. This rich heritage forms part of the cultural backdrop for the school’s community.