St Bernards Mixed National School
School Details
Location
About
St Bernard’s Mixed National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Abbeylara, County Longford. It provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that follows the Irish National Curriculum while placing a strong emphasis on personal development, cultural heritage and community involvement. The school maintains a safe and nurturing environment, underpinned by a range of policies covering child safeguarding, health and safety, behaviour and the Bí Cineálta (well‑being) framework. These policies are readily accessible to parents and guardians, reflecting the school’s commitment to transparency and partnership. The school serves a wide catchment area that includes the townlands of Ballinacross, Cartronbore, Springtown, Creevy and Ballywillin, with Department of Education transport facilitating attendance. Facilities include dedicated classroom spaces, a garden area used for outdoor learning, and resources for literacy and numeracy development. Regular communication is supported through newsletters, a school calendar and active social‑media links, ensuring families stay informed about events and activities throughout the academic year.
History
The origins of St Bernard’s date back to a 1848 application for the first national school in Abbeylara, which opened under the guidance of James Mallon. A separate female school was recognised in 1857, led by Elizabeth Mahon. In 1899 a new school building was erected and opened in 1902, housing both the male (St Bernard’s) and female (St Brigid’s) schools. The two schools amalgamated on 1 April 1917 under the patronage of St Bernard, creating a single mixed institution. Subsequent principals oversaw the school’s development, including the 1968 merger with Springtown NS and the establishment of a Board of Management in 1975. Leadership continued with principals John Fay (until 2004), Mary Quinn (2004‑2018) and Aiden Reynolds (from 2018 to the present). The school’s history is intertwined with the local community and has inspired literary figures such as poet John Montague.