Welcome to St McCreehy's National School. Our rural primary school is located in the picturesque village of Liscannor on the coast of Co Clare, surrounded by the sea and providing beautiful views, lots of fresh air and a large play area, making it an ideal environment for children to learn, play and grow.
A brief history of St. McCreehy's National School.
The new national school in Liscannor was officially blessed by Rev. Dr Browne, Bishop of Galway and opened by Doctor Patrick Hillery, Minister for Education on June 23rd 1961.
Our school takes its name from St. McCreehy, a sixth century monk who lived locally. The ruins of his church still remain in a local graveyard today. The school lies between the historic O’Connor Castle and the small house where John Philip Holland, the inventor of the submarine was born.
The school, which cost nearly £10,000.00 replaces an old school built (where the Community Centre is now) 112 years previously, in 1850.
Those present at the opening included the teaching staff, Mr P.J. McCarthy, Principal and his two assistant teachers Miss Mary Garrahy and Miss Bríd Malone.
Until the 1970’s, the parish of Liscannor was home to no less than four primary schools at Moymore, Ballycotton, St Brigid’s Well and Liscannor. With the closures of Moymore and Ballycotton, their principals Mr Henry Comber and Mrs Maura Harold respectively moved to Liscannor N.S. to join the existing principal, Mrs Violet Griffin. Therefore up to 1981 Liscannor N.S. was a three teacher school but defacto it had three principals.
Two years later in 1983, this unusual situation had changed with the appointments of Mr John Reynolds as Principal as well as Mrs. Eilís Blake and Mrs. Denise Reynolds, following the retirement of the aforementioned staff.
The next appointment was Ms. Eileen O’ Leary in 1998
Ms. Máire O’ Connell was appointed in 2004 followed by Ms. Olivia Lucas in 2005.
Ms. Eileen O’ Leary transferred to another school in 2008.
Mrs. Eilís Blake retired in 2011.
Ms. Sarah Kelly was appointed as principal in 2011 (following Mr. Reynolds retirement) until 2015.
Mrs. Reynolds retired in 2015 with Mrs. Kelly stepping down as principal and in to the SET (Special Education Teacher) role.
Ms. Máire O’Connell (current principal) was Acting Principal from 2014-2015 and was appointed as Principal in 2015.
Ms Aisling Garrahy was appointed in 2015.
Ms. Mairéad McConigley joined the staff in 2018 and was appointed as a permanent member of staff in 2021.
Ms. Clíona Falvey joined the staff in 2021 and was appointed as a permanent member of staff in 2023.
The original school (front portion of the school building) was originally divided in to three classrooms.
This has been completely renovated in recent years. This now accommodates a General Purpose/P.E hall, SET (Special Education) room and a sensory room.
An extension was constructed in 2006. This accommodates 4 classrooms, a computer room (currently being utilised as a classroom), a staffroom and a spacious school corridor.
Preliminary planning has commenced in relation to a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) surface as well as a playground at some stage in the future.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to explore our website, and hope that you will return regularly to keep up to date with school news, initiatives and for any other information you require during your child's time with us.
Máire O'Connell
Principal
