A school shaped by generations

A tradition of education in Enniscrone since 1870

Scoil Chríost Rí has been at the heart of the Enniscrone community for generations. While our school continues to grow and change, its story is rooted in a tradition of education in Enniscrone stretching back more than 150 years.

From the first national schools of the nineteenth century to the vibrant and inclusive school we are today, generations of children, families and staff have helped shape the story of Scoil Chríost Rí.

The Beginning – 1870

National school education in Enniscrone began in 1870, when the boys' school operated in one wing of the old church and the girls' school in the other.

These early schools began a tradition of education in the village and established a connection between school, parish and community that has continued through generations.

A New School – 1890

In 1890, a new National School was built in Enniscrone.

The building served generations of local children for an extraordinary 92 years. It changed with the times too: in 1940, significant improvements included the introduction of running water and flush toilets — a fascinating glimpse of just how different school life once was.

One School for Enniscrone – 1969

Another important milestone came in 1969, when the boys' and girls' schools were amalgamated, with Mr Mick McKeon serving as principal.

For the first time, the children were brought together in one school, beginning a new chapter in primary education in Enniscrone.

Quigabar and Enniscrone – 1974

In June 1974, Quigabar National School amalgamated with Enniscrone National School.

Prefabricated classrooms were erected to accommodate the increased number of pupils as the school community continued to grow.

Scoil Chríost Rí Opens – 1982

On 13 September 1982, the present Scoil Chríost Rí opened its doors.

The new school provided a permanent home for a school community whose history could already be traced back more than a century.

Although buildings, classrooms and methods of teaching have changed enormously since 1870, something much more important has remained constant: a commitment to educating, caring for and encouraging the children of Enniscrone and the surrounding community.

A school shaped by generations

The history of Scoil Chríost Rí is ultimately a history of people.

Former principal Mrs Ann Foody experienced several chapters of that history herself. First a pupil of the old Enniscrone National School, she returned as a teacher in 1981 and went on to spend more than three decades teaching generations of local children.

When she retired in 2015, she reflected on having taught her own grandson in Junior Infants — the fourth generation of her family to attend Enniscrone National School.

Her story reflects something very special about Scoil Chríost Rí. Across generations, former pupils have returned as parents, grandparents, teachers and members of the wider school community.

Our history is not simply a story of buildings and dates. It is the story of the children, families, staff and community who have shaped our school — and whose contribution continues to be felt today.