St Nicholas Church Of Ireland School
School Details
Location
About
St. Nicholas’ National School, Adare is a co‑educational primary school situated on the banks of the River Maigue opposite the gates of Adare Manor. The school operates under a Church of Ireland ethos while welcoming children of all faiths and none, and is patronised by the Countess of Dunraven. With a small teaching team supported by two specialist assistants, the school provides a caring, inclusive climate that promotes spiritual, moral, intellectual, social and emotional development for every pupil. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A historic Augustinian abbey dating from 1315 provides a unique setting, complemented by a contemporary building opened in 2008 that houses indoor and outdoor physical‑education spaces, a spacious play area, and specialist rooms for drama and support learning. All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, laptops and iPads, enabling a broad and varied curriculum enriched by a range of extra‑curricular clubs, sport and after‑school care. The school is well served by local bus routes and offers flexible pick‑up and drop‑off times for families.
History
The school was originally housed in an Augustinian Abbey dating back to 1315. It was established by the Earl of Dunraven in 1814 and became a national school in 1862, operating continuously since. On 1 September 2008 pupils and staff moved into a new building at the rear of the historic site, now used for PE and drama, while retaining access to the abbey’s church, cloisters, river walk and extensive grounds.