Local Schools:
Loughfouder National School
Loughfouder N.S. is a rural Catholic two-teacher school in the hinterland of the parish of Knocknagoshel, County Kerry, with a long tradition of excellence in education. The principal, Mrs Elizabeth Lane, teaches Junior Infants to Second Class, while Miss Emer O'Shea teaches Third to Sixth Class. The school is also supported by a visiting special education teacher and SNA Josephine Murphy.
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There has been a long tradition of education in Loughfouder. The first school was established in the 1850s when local farmer Thady Ben Brosnan invited Patrick Robinson from County Clare to set up a school on the Hill Road. In 1899, Thady Geaney donated a site for a new one-roomed school with two teachers, which at its peak had one hundred and seven children on roll. Famous past pupils from that era include renowned musician Nicky McAuliffe and Ned Roche, who won three All-Ireland medals with Kerry. In the early 1960s, Jer Joe Geaney donated land beside the old school for a new building, which opened in November 1966 with Larry Keane as principal and Maura Sheehan as assistant teacher.
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A school bus service began in the early seventies, with Bridie Curtin serving as driver for four decades. Jimmy Hickey and Peggy Brosnan taught dancing, and Celia Regan provided music lessons for many years. In 2000, Micheál Herlihy took over as principal, promoting all sports and involving children in a wide range of projects including Green Schools, Active Schools, Health Promoting Schools, Discover Primary Science, Junior Entrepreneur, Incredible Edibles and Artists in Schools. It was also during this period that traditional music was revived in the school, with music teacher Philip Shine helping children learn tin whistle, accordion, concertina and banjo. In 2015, the school band was nominated for Best Musical Performance at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Student Theatre Awards and performed on stage there.
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In 2016, Liz Lane became principal and Emer O'Shea was appointed as assistant teacher. Together, with parents, pupils and the Board of Management, they have made the school the progressive, vibrant and welcoming place it is today. Josephine Murphy joined the staff as SNA, secretary and cleaner in 2021, with Noreen Daly taking over as SNA in September 2025. The school football team won the county final in the Cumann na mBunscol Competition in 2016, 2019 and 2022, and the school was named GAA School of the Year in 2016. In November 2024 and 2025, under the direction of Jackie O'Mahoney, pupils staged productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Shrek the Musical at the Ivy Leaf Theatre in Castleisland, a remarkable achievement for a small school.
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There is a strong sporting tradition in the school, with children taking part in athletics, football, tag rugby, basketball, hurling, volleyball, table tennis and swimming. The school holds three Active Flags. Traditional music remains central to school life, with all children from First to Sixth Class learning an instrument. Free music lessons are provided in tin whistle, accordion, fiddle, concertina and banjo, with instruments available on loan. Pupils have won many Scór na bPáistí and Sult na nÓg competitions in music, singing, poetry and drama, and senior classes have taken part in creative writing competitions including Listowel Writers Week. Pupils in the senior class also learn French.
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Loughfouder N.S. has received 17 Gold Awards and 1 Platinum Award in the Curious Minds programme for Excellence in Maths and Science, nine Green Flags for environmental awareness, the Blue Star five year achievement award for EU project work in 2023, the Amber Flag for the promotion of positive mental health, the Gold Award in the Bord na Móna Eco Rangers Project in 2018, and the Digital School Flag of Distinction in 2018 for its integration of ICT in teaching and learning. The school also placed third in the national Incredible Edibles programme competition.
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In 2013, a school reunion was organised by Cáit Curtin, Sheila Sullivan and Catherine Brosnan, which proved a memorable occasion. In 2016, the school celebrated the 50th anniversary of its current building, with principal Liz Lane compiling a booklet, Loughfouder National Schools — Through the Generations 1850–2016, documenting the history of education in Loughfouder. A further reunion is planned for April 2026 to mark the 60th anniversary, promising to be a wonderful occasion as past pupils gather to reminisce. An After Schools Club, set up by Eilish McEnery, provides afterschool care for pupils from 1.30pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, a valuable service for working parents. Ní neart le cur le chéile!
Knocknagoshel National School
Knocknagoshel N.S. is a welcoming and inclusive primary school at the heart of the village. Guided by our motto, Mol an Óige, we aim to provide every child with a positive, active and student-centred education.
We believe pupils should have a voice in their education. Children are regularly given opportunities to make choices about what and how they learn, helping to make learning more active, enjoyable and meaningful. Our dedicated staff work closely together to recognise each child’s individuality and nurture their unique talents, interests and abilities.
One of the special features of Knocknagoshel N.S. is the strong sense of connection across the school. Children of all ages learn, play and work together in a friendly and caring environment. Regular whole-school gatherings allow us to share news, celebrate achievements and ensure that every pupil feels included in school life.
The school has deep roots in the local community and currently operates from one of the oldest functioning school buildings in the country. Plans for a new school building within the village are progressing, representing an important and exciting development for both the school and the wider Knocknagoshel community.
Knocknagoshel’s strong cultural, sporting and community traditions are reflected in everyday school life. We greatly value our relationships with the parish, families and local organisations, whose support enriches our pupils’ experiences and strengthens their sense of belonging.
At Knocknagoshel N.S., every child is known, valued and encouraged to grow in confidence. We are proud of our friendly and respectful pupils, our committed staff and the strong community spirit that makes our school such a special place.
Current Staff
Knocknagoshel N.S. currently operates with two mainstream classrooms, supported by a dedicated team of teaching and support staff:
Kate Mc Sweeney – Principal
Patricia Cusack – Deputy Principal
Carmel O’Connell – Special Education Teacher
Micheál Mc Mahon – Special Education Teacher
Suzanne Sheehy – Shared Special Education Teacher
Marie O’Callaghan – Special Needs Assistant
Phil Brosnan – Special Needs Assistant
Brenda Leahy – School Secretary
Johnny Morrissey – Caretaker
Together, the staff are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and positive learning environment in which every child is known, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Our New School Building
Plans are progressing for a new, multimillion-euro, four-classroom school building on a site within Knocknagoshel village. This exciting development will provide pupils and staff with a modern, purpose-built learning environment and will transform not only our school community but the wider village. The new school will create opportunities for future generations of children and represents an important investment in the continued growth and development of Knocknagoshel.
Knocknagoshel School History
Knocknagoshel National School was built in 1828. The original building had a thatched roof and contained two classrooms—one for boys and one for girls. Four teachers worked in the school, with two teachers in each room. The younger and older pupils were taught separately at opposite ends of the classrooms.
In 1935–36, two smaller classrooms were added at either end of the building for Infants, First and Second Classes. Entrance halls were also constructed, the roof was slated, the school was painted and new desks were provided. While this work was taking place, the boys attended school in “Conney’s Loft”, while the girls were taught in the old hall near the presbytery gate.
For many years, the boys’ and girls’ schools operated separately. There were two small entrance gates, and a railing divided the schoolyard into separate areas for boys and girls.
A significant change took place in 1969 when the boys’ and girls’ schools amalgamated to form one mixed school. Mein National School, located where The Captain’s Table now stands on Main Street, also closed and amalgamated with Knocknagoshel N.S. The railing dividing the schoolyard was removed, and the two smaller gates were replaced with one main entrance.
Further improvements were made in 1995, when new toilets and a staffroom were added to the rear of the school.
Staff Through the Years
During the 1930s and 1940s, Mrs Lena Keane served as principal of the girls’ school. Teachers during this period included Mrs Curtin, Tessie Keane and Mary Nolan. Siobhán Fogarty later joined the school, replacing Mary Nolan when she moved to Lyreacrompane N.S.
Principals of the boys’ school included Michael Heffernan, Pat McCarthy and Micheál Ó Murchú. Teachers included Pat McCarthy, Kathleen Dillon, Siobhán Fogarty and Patricia Leahy.
Following the amalgamation in 1969, Micheál Ó Murchú became principal, with Siobhán Fogarty, Mary Hickey and Patricia Kirby, née Leahy, serving as assistant teachers. Mary Hickey transferred from Mein N.S. following its closure.
In 1975, Micheál Ó Murchú and Siobhán Fogarty retired. Larry Keane, who came from Knockbrack N.S., was appointed principal. He worked alongside Mary Hickey, Patricia Kirby and Margaret Curtin.
Johnny Morrissey joined the school as caretaker in 1994.
Mary Hickey retired in 1995 and was replaced by Máire Collins. Following Larry Keane’s retirement in 1999, Patricia Kirby became principal. The staff at this time included Margaret Curtin, Máire Collins and Carmel O’Connell. Patricia Cusack joined the school in 2001, having previously taught in Knockbrack N.S.
Marie O’Callaghan joined the school as a Special Needs Assistant in September 2002.
Patricia Kirby retired in 2006 and Margaret Curtin became principal. In 2008, the school regained its fourth mainstream teaching post and Suzanne Sheehy was appointed. Other members of staff during this period included Máire Collins, Carmel O’Connell, Patricia Cusack and Marguerite Cahill, who worked in special education.
Following Margaret Curtin’s retirement in 2010, Máire Collins became principal. The school returned to a three-teacher model in 2011. Teachers who provided additional resource and special education support in the years that followed included Karen Collins, Marianne Nolan and Ellen Brosnan.
Kate Mc Sweeney joined the staff in 2017 as a Special Education Teacher shared between Knocknagoshel N.S. and Knockanure N.S., with Knocknagoshel as her base school.
The school moved to a two-teacher model in 2022. Following the retirement of Máire Collins in 2023, Kate Mc Sweeney was appointed principal. The school briefly became a three-teacher school, and Ballybunion native Micheál Mc Mahon joined the staff as a shared Special Education Teacher. Phil Brosnan also joined the school as a Special Needs Assistant in September 2023.
In 2024, the school returned to its present two-classroom structure.
Our Current Board of Management
Deirdre Bell – Chairperson
Kate Mc Sweeney – Secretary
Brian Cotter – Treasurer
Fr Martin Spillane
Catherine Brosnan
Patricia Cusack
Richard Cotter
Mary Collins
Today, Knocknagoshel N.S. continues its long tradition of educating generations of children from the village and surrounding areas. While much has changed since the school first opened in 1828, it remains firmly rooted in the life of the local community.