Shountrade National School
School Details
Location
About
Shountrade National School is situated in a tranquil rural setting near the village of Adare, County Limerick. The school fosters a caring community spirit while embracing a progressive educational outlook, creating a vibrant environment where pupils develop a genuine love of learning. Core values of respect, knowledge and responsibility underpin every aspect of the curriculum, ensuring that children of all abilities are supported to reach their full potential. The school adopts a holistic approach, combining creative teaching methods with modern facilities and technology to prepare learners for the challenges of the twenty‑first century. Well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated playground, and recent extensions provide spacious, contemporary learning spaces. Strong partnership with parents is encouraged, recognising families as the primary educators of their children and keeping them informed of progress and goals.
History
The name Shountrade (Irish *Sean tSráid*, “Old Street”) reflects the historic street that once gave the townland its name. The first recorded National Board of Education school in Shountrade dates to 1852, operating from a small thatched one‑room building with around 100 pupils. In 1855 Rev. T.S. O Grady secured a more suitable premises on land owned by the O’Neills, with furniture supplied by Lord Dunraven. By 1865 the school, situated in the townland of Tuogh, benefitted from a slated teacher’s residence and an acre of playground provided by Lord Dunraven. After a fire destroyed the original building in 1936, a new school was erected in 1937 on land purchased from Mr Kinevane. Originally a two‑teacher school, enrolment grew from thirty to 157 pupils, prompting three extensions over twelve years and further land donations from the Kinevane family. Today Shountrade National School is a modern, well‑equipped institution, guided by the motto Fás agus foghlaim! (Growth and learning).