St Attractas National School
School Details
Location
About
St Attracta’s National School is a mixed, vertical primary school situated in the town of Ballaghaderreen, operating under a Roman Catholic ethos and the patronage of the Achonry Diocese. With an average enrolment of over 260 pupils and a dedicated team of staff, the school consistently exceeds national averages in English reading, spelling and mathematics assessments. A strong emphasis is placed on early intervention, employing programmes such as Reading Recovery, Maths Recovery, Accelerated Reader and year‑round literacy and numeracy stations to build a solid foundation for all learners. The school integrates digital technologies throughout teaching and learning, guided by a Digital Learning Plan embedded in its DEIS Improvement Plan. A vibrant performing‑arts programme offers music, song, drama, a marching band and choir, with instrument lessons available to pupils from second class. Health and well‑being are promoted through a broad sports curriculum that includes Gaelic football, hurling, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, soccer and dance, supported by both internal and external coaches. The school’s commitment to excellence is reflected in awards such as the Active School Flag (2021), Amber Flag (2022), multiple Science Foundation of Ireland awards and two Green Flags.
History
St Attracta’s traces its origins to 1874 when it was founded as St Francis Xavier’s School by the Sisters of Charity, led by Mother Agnes Morragh Bernard of Cheltenham. In the late 1880s an industrial school was established on the site at the request of the MP for East Mayo. The Sisters of Charity departed in 1971 and were succeeded by the Mercy Order, which continued to run the school until 1992. That year an amalgamation with the nearby St John’s Boys School, formerly run by the De La Salle Brothers, resulted in the renaming of the institution to St Attracta’s National School, honouring the patron saint of the area. The current school crest incorporates symbols from the merged schools, reflecting this shared heritage.