Shrule National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s National School, Shrule, Co. Mayo, is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that serves the local community with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and progressive teaching. The school provides a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment where pupils are encouraged to develop confidence and reach their full potential. A balanced curriculum addresses the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each child, and the school actively promotes gender equity, respect for the environment and responsible citizenship. The educational approach is centred on high standards of teaching and learning, with particular focus on literacy, numeracy and creative expression through language, movement, art and music. Strong links between home and school are fostered through regular communication and parent‑teacher meetings, reinforcing a vibrant school community. The daily timetable runs from 9.20 am, with a lunch break at 1.00 pm, and closing times of 2.00 pm for infants and 3.00 pm for older pupils.
History
Records indicate that a private school existed in Shrule in the early 19th century, described at the time as a modest “cabin, a hovel, no better than a hedge school”. By 1839 a local school employed two teachers, the master Richard Flannelly and his wife Bridget, whose salaries were partially funded by Mrs Kirwan, the landlord’s wife. In 1857 a new school building was erected on the banks of the Black River on land donated by the Kirwan family; the master at that time was Daniel O Connell, formerly of Rathmines, Dublin. The present school continues this long tradition of community‑based education.