Scoil Naisiunta Molaise
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Molaise (Knock National School) is a small, co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Knock, County Laois. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, the school provides a nurturing environment for roughly 60 pupils, with a dedicated team of teachers supporting mainstream and special educational needs provision. The school’s mission is to develop children intellectually, spiritually and socially, fostering good character, responsibility and a sense of community while encouraging self‑confidence and an awareness of the wider world. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. Built in 1950, the original two‑classroom building has been expanded with 1978 extensions, a basketball court and an adjacent community hall used for physical education, performances and celebrations. Refurbishments in 2007 added new bookshelves, carpets, a purpose‑built office, PE store and a learning support room. Recent EU‑funded initiatives have equipped the school with additional iPads to bridge the digital divide, supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage. A strong emphasis on active learning is evident through the Active Schools programme, partnerships with local sports organisations and a variety of extracurricular activities.
History
Education in the Knock area dates back to 1849. In 1951 the present school, originally named Scoil Molaise but retaining the Knock name, opened in Graiguenahowen after fundraising led by Fr Martin Brophy. The initial premises comprised two modest classrooms, a corridor and dry toilets, with no electricity or running water. Electricity arrived in the mid‑1960s, and indoor toilets and washbasins were installed in the 1970s. Extensions in 1978 enlarged the classrooms and added a basketball court, while a community hall was built in the early 1980s. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2000 and has since expanded with a prefab infants classroom (2001) and a comprehensive refurbishment in 2007 that modernised learning spaces and support facilities.