Scoil Naomh Barra
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Barra is a co‑educational Roman Catholic primary school serving the Wilkinstown community, catering for children from Junior Infants through to 6th Class. The school operates a vertical model, allowing pupils to progress through a single‑stream system of 20‑25 students per class within a supportive, inclusive environment. Recent extensive renovations have provided modern, high‑specification learning spaces, including interactive Promethean whiteboards in every classroom and a one‑to‑one provision of iPads and Chromebooks to enhance digital literacy. The school boasts a comprehensive range of facilities that promote both academic and physical development. These include a modern school hall, two basketball courts, an astro‑turf pitch, a central activity zone, a football pitch, and a well‑equipped playground featuring swings, a slide, a zip line and a trampoline. Additional resources comprise a sensory room, free hot meals, libraries in each classroom with annually refreshed collections, and dedicated spaces for music and library activities. A strong emphasis on sport is reflected in the variety of teams offered, such as Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, basketball, rounders and athletics, supported by newly purchased PE, maths and science equipment.
History
Scoil Naomh Barra opened on 20 September 1971 following the amalgamation of Kilberry and Wilkinstown National Schools. Situated 6 km from Navan on the Navan‑to‑Kingscourt Road, the school was named after Saint Barra, who had a historic Cill (little church) in Kilberry. The inaugural principal was Mr Tom Sherlock, assisted by Mrs Marie Duffy and Antoinette Stack. Michael Forry succeeded as principal and served for twenty‑nine years. The current principal, appointed in 2014, continues the tradition of Catholic education under the patronage of Bishop Dr Thomas Deenihan.