Our Story

The story of St. Clare’s National School is one of faith, dedication, and growth, stretching back over 150 years.

✨ On 6th February 1872, the Poor Clare Sisters arrived in Ballyjamesduff at the request of Most Rev. Dr. Conaty, Bishop of Kilmore. They took charge of teaching in the existing national school on Dublin Street, which at that time catered for around 150 pupils. As the years passed and enrolment grew, it became clear that a larger school was needed.

🏫 In 1883, the Sisters moved into their new convent and school on Virginia Road, designed by the renowned architect William Hague Junior. The new school served as the main centre of education for girls, while boys attended the “Convent School” until Second Class before transferring to the boys’ school on Oldcastle Road.

👦👧 In 1978, it was decided that boys would move to St. Teresa’s N.S. (which replaced the old boys’ school) after completing First Class at St. Clare’s. Fifteen years later, in 1993, the two schools amalgamated under the principalship of Sr. Concepta Looney, operating across both campuses.

👩‍🏫 In 1999, all staff and pupils came together once again under one roof at St. Clare’s, with Mrs. Anne Sheridan appointed as the first lay principal. During this time, planning began for a brand-new school building to accommodate the rapidly growing population.

📈 By the 2004/05 school year, St. Clare’s had five mainstream teachers and one learning support teacher, catering for approximately 136 pupils. Numbers continued to rise, and soon plans were expanded to include fourteen classrooms.

🏗️ In September 2008, the doors of the new St. Clare’s N.S. officially opened, welcoming 369 pupils, 20 teachers, and 2 SNAs under the principalship of Mrs. Emer Doherty — a past pupil and long-serving teacher of the school.
The state-of-the-art building, costing €4 million, was officially opened by Minister Brendan Smith and blessed by Bishop Leo O’Reilly on 13th February 2009.

🌍 In the years that followed, St. Clare’s continued to flourish, welcoming children from many countries and cultures, enriching the life of the school community. In 2009, the school was granted DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) status, further supporting our commitment to inclusion and equality in education.

🏫 Most recently, in 2022, a new wing was added — including three Special Education Teaching (SET) rooms and two Special Classes for pupils with Autism (ASD).

👨‍🏫 Today, under the leadership of Mr. Karl Mc Cartin, the first male principal in the school’s history, St. Clare’s N.S. continues to thrive with 425 pupils, 50 full-time staff, 9 SNAs, and 2 job-sharing secretaries.

🙏 Guided by the traditions of the Poor Clare Sisters, we remain committed to maintaining our Catholic ethos, nurturing faith, confidence, respect, and pride in every child. Together — pupils, parents, and staff — we continue to build on a proud legacy of learning, care, and community at St. Clare’s N.S., Ballyjamesduff. 💙