There are three Catholic Schools in the parish of Ashbourne-Donaghmore: St. Declan’s National School, St. Mary’s National School and Gaelscoil na Cille. Each of the three schools operate under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, Dr. Tom Deenihan.
Primary Level
St. Declan’s N.S.
St. Declan’s National School is located in Garden City, Ashbourne and was first opened in 1977 making it the longest-established primary school in Ashbourne. It replaced the local parish school which was located just beside Ashbourne Church. The school takes its name from Saint Declan, who established a church in the area (the Irish for Ashbourne is Cill Dhéagláin, i.e. the Church of Declan). The school population has grown hugely over the years and now proudly caters for approximately 650 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class.
The first principal in St. Declan’s N.S. was Mr. Con Keohane followed by Mr. Frank Reidy (2002 – 2018) and the current principal is Mr. Cian Kearins. The school community are very proud of their school and are supported by a dedicated staff, wonderful Parents’ Association and voluntary Board of Management. Ms. Geraldine Boylan (a past pupil of St. Declan’s) is serving as the current Chairperson of the Board of Management and Fr. Stephen Kennedy is the school’s chaplain.
St. Mary’s National School was founded in 1981 and began with junior infants in the grounds of St. Declan’s NS. In 1986, its new building was opened in Tudor Grove. It has grown to its present enrolment of almost 500 pupils and 28 teachers, catering for children from infants to sixth class. Mr. Jack Barrett served as the school’s first principal, from 1981 until 2009. Mr. Dónal Ó hÓbáin was then principal until 2018 and Mr. Paul O’Connor has been the current principal since that year.
St. Mary’s is very proud of its fantastic children, its dedicated and hard-working staff and its active and enthusiastic Parents’ Association and wider parent-body. The sense of community within our school and also within the parish of Donaghmore-Ashbourne is strongly promoted and is very evident. Through an integrated and challenging curriculum, the school strives to foster in each pupil a positive self-image and a confidence which allows each child to attain their maximum academic and social potential.
The school is supported by its chaplain, Fr. Michael Kilmartin and its diligent Board of Management, led by the chairperson, Pat O’Connor.
Gaelscoil na Cille is a coeducational school that was founded in 1981 by a small group of dedicated parents who wanted an education trí Ghaeilge for their children. It is located beside Ashbourne Community School and the Community Centre. The school opened on September 1st, 1981, with forty-five pupils and their two teachers, Príomhoide, Pádraig Ó Dufaigh and Eibhlín Pléamonn. For its first thirteen years, Gaelscoil na Cille was situated in what was then, the old parish school, beside Ashbourne Church.
In 1995, the school moved to the building it is in today, where it caters for approximately 230 pupils from Naíonáin Shóisir to Rang 6. Gaelscoil na Cille has always been very proud of its Irish culture and heritage, and this is celebrated through language, music, drama and sport. The school’s vision is brought to life by the dedicated múinteoirí who are supported in their work by An BordBainistíochta. The school also has a hardworking and engaged Coiste na dTuismitheoirí. Deirdre Nic Uaid is the Príomhoide and Fr. Brendan O’Rourke is the school’s chaplain.
Ashbourne Community School is one of two secondary schools in the town. It is jointly managed by representatives appointed by our bishop and Louth-Meath Education Trust Board. A Catholic lay-chaplain provides pastoral and spiritual support to the school community. Our priests are actively involved in the annual graduation and support the school pupils and staff when asked to do so. The school opened its doors in 1994.
Ashbourne Community School (ACS) recognises the importance of a holistic approach to education, valuing the intrinsic human dignity of each individual while providing for the social, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing of each student.
After School Sacramental Program for Children Attending Non-Catholic Schools in Ashbourne
Sacraments of First Penance: First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Sacramental preparation classes for Primary school students
Ashbourne Parish holds after school sacramental preparation classes for catholic children who attend a school where Religious Instruction is not on the curriculum. There are three such schools in our Parish at present. The Parish Programme follows the Guidelines for such Preparation Programmes laid down by the Irish Bishops’ Conference. This sacramental programme was begun in 2012 by the then Parish Priest, Fr Derek Darby, to prepare children in the two Schools, Gaelscoil na Mí and Educate Together N.S. for First Confession and First Holy Communion.
The Programme expanded to add Confirmation classes in 2017, when the children in those schools reached 5th class. Since the third school, Ashbourne Community N.S. opened in 2019, children from that school also attend the Programme. Classes were originally held in the old national school building in the parish grounds, but more recently they take place in the Parish Centre. The programme is delivered by qualified catechists, most often serving teachers in local Catholic Schools. Classes are held after school on two days a week, and at present our eight classes are run by a team of four Catechists and retired Primary teacher Kay Churm, who has co-ordinated the Programme since 2012.
Additional Catechesis is provided by the priests of the parish. The Programme has served up to 200 children annually; each child must attend classes for two years before receiving either sacrament.
