St Mary's National School
School Details
About
St Mary’s National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated on Maudlin Street in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. The school serves over 460 pupils and operates under the patronage of Bishop Niall Coll, Bishop of Ossory, following the Department of Education’s curricular programmes. It places a strong emphasis on inclusiveness, equality of access and respect for the diverse cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds of its community, while also promoting parental choice and involvement in the educational process. The campus boasts a range of modern facilities, including a state‑of‑the‑art PE hall, two outdoor pitches, two basketball courts and a ball‑wall for physical education. Every classroom is equipped with a variety of ICT resources to support interactive learning. The teaching team comprises 23 educators, including mainstream, special‑education and administrative staff, supported by three special‑needs assistants. As a recognised Green School, St Mary’s integrates environmental awareness into its ethos, encouraging sustainable practices throughout the school day.
History
The origins of education in Thomastown date back to 1826 when twenty‑four schools served a population of 1 100 children, most of whom were Roman Catholic. In 1839 the parish established a two‑storey national schoolhouse on a rock‑face at the edge of the graveyard, initially educating boys and later sharing space with girls until the girls moved to the newly built Convent of Mercy in 1910. The boys’ school, first led by Principal John Walsh, received positive inspector reports in the early 20th century. After the original building became unsuitable, the Ladywell Boys National School opened in 1949. In 1990s the Ladywell school amalgamated with the Convent of Mercy National School, creating the present St Mary’s National School, which continues the legacy of over a century of local education.