St Ciarans National School
School Details
Location
About
St Ciaran’s National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school situated in the rural village of Baylin, about 5 km east of Athlone. The school provides a caring, well‑ordered environment that addresses the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of its pupils. While rooted in a Catholic ethos, the school recognises and respects all other religions and actively promotes gender equity, self‑esteem and responsibility. A strong emphasis is placed on parental partnership, Gaelic language use and the professional development of staff, ensuring a supportive community for every child. The campus blends historic and modern facilities. The original building dates from 1949 with a 1994 extension, and recent expansions have added three state‑of‑the‑art classrooms in 2013 and two further large classrooms plus a new staffroom in 2021. These spaces support a broad curriculum that includes sport, wellbeing, creative arts and environmental initiatives such as the Green Schools programme. The school’s crest, featuring the historic Twyford (Baylin) Cross, reflects its local heritage, while the motto “Knowledge and Respect” and the purple‑and‑yellow colours encapsulate its commitment to academic excellence and mutual respect.
History
The school was originally located a mile nearer Athlone in Lower Warren, with the first building erected in 1949. An extension was added in 1994, followed by the construction of three large, state‑of‑the‑art classrooms in 2013. In 2021 two additional large classrooms and a new staffroom were completed, reflecting the steady increase in pupil numbers as surrounding housing developments expanded.