History

A Modern Gem in the Heart of the Countryside

Ballyoughter National School has been at the heart of the local community for generations, with a long tradition of education in the area.

The old Ballyoughter National School served generations of local children and families. The school was officially recognised as a National School in 1889, and over the years the building changed and developed as the needs of the school grew. A second classroom was added in 1948, and further improvements were made over the years.

For many past pupils and families in the area, the old school holds very special memories. Generations of children learned, played and grew up there, with many families having parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents who attended Ballyoughter NS.

As the years passed and the school continued to develop, the old building was no longer suitable for the needs of a modern primary school. The old school closed its doors at the end of the 2008/2009 school year, marking the end of an important chapter in Ballyoughter’s history.

In September 2009, pupils and staff moved into the new Ballyoughter National School, built nearby on parish land. The new school was officially opened in January 2010, beginning a new chapter for the school community.

Since then, Ballyoughter NS has continued to grow and develop while holding on to the close-knit community spirit that has always been such an important part of the school. Our facilities have developed over the years to meet the changing needs of our pupils, but the strong connection between the school, our families and the wider Ballyoughter community remains at the heart of who we are.

We are very proud of the history of Ballyoughter National School and of all the pupils, families and staff who have been part of its story over the years.

Gallery – Ballyoughter

Our Staff

At Ballyoughter National School, we are very fortunate to have a dedicated and caring staff who work together to create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where every child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Our teaching staff work collaboratively to provide engaging learning experiences while recognising that every child has their own individual strengths and needs. Our class teachers and Special Education Teacher (SET) work closely together, alongside parents and pupils, to provide additional support where needed and ensure that every child feels included, supported and confident in their learning.

Our Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are an important part of our school team. They provide valuable care and support to pupils with additional needs, helping them to participate fully in school life, develop independence and feel safe and supported throughout their school day.

Our ancillary staff also play an essential role in the smooth running of Ballyoughter NS. We are fortunate to have a part-time school secretary who supports the administration and organisation of the school, a dedicated cleaner who ensures our school is kept clean and welcoming, and a volunteer caretaker who generously gives his time to help care for our school building and grounds.

Together, our teachers, SNAs and ancillary staff make up a close-knit team, each playing an important role in the life of our school. We work together with our pupils and families to make Ballyoughter NS a happy, caring and inclusive place where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Susie Besanson -- Principal/SET

Elizabeth Kavanagh -- Vice Principal/Senior Room

Aisling Chawke -- AP2/Junior Room

Megan Cahill ---Middle Room

Lisa Devlin --SNA

Annette Guinan-- SNA

Maeve Roberts---Secretary

Sinead Carton--Cleaner

Stephen Kavanagh---Caretaker

Vision and Mission Statement

Ballyoughter National School is committed to providing a safe, happy and inclusive learning environment where every child is valued, respected and supported to reach their full potential. Rooted in a caring rural community, the school fosters a love of learning while encouraging curiosity, creativity, resilience and independence.

We strive to promote the holistic development of each pupil — academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually — so that children grow in confidence, develop a strong sense of self-worth and become active, caring members of their community. Through strong partnerships with parents, staff, parish and the wider community, Ballyoughter NS nurtures responsible, compassionate and capable learners prepared for lifelong learning and positive participation in society.

School Survey Results

We are delighted to share the results of our recent School Survey with our school and wider community.

Please see the results in our Policies and Publications sections under About our School

As we move to the next stage of the process, we would greatly appreciate any feedback, comments or suggestions you may have in relation to the survey results. Your views are important to us and will help inform our ongoing planning and development as a school.

Please send any feedback by Friday, 2nd October 2026 to office@ballyoughterns.ie, putting “School Survey Feedback” in the subject heading.

We sincerely appreciate your time, input and continued support of Ballyoughter National School.