By Dearbhla Parry
KNOCKANEAN National School’s redevelopment is on schedule to finish in 2027.
The site comprises an active school construction site for Knockanean NS, situated just 4km outside Ennis, which was granted permission in June 2020. The €6.5m-€7m, 1.34ha site is expected to become a two-storey building, consisting of eight new classrooms, a general purpose room, and ancillary accommodation.
The expected completion date for the project is February 26th 2027, with its newly granted extension of duration now ending on July 23rd 2030.
A Senior Architect stated in the Commissioners of Public Works’ (OPW) application that some initial delays came as a result of some rented temporary classroom buildings on site, which the rental accommodation supplier could not remove until August, unexpected large retaining wall structures beneath the existing building, as well as a rock not being identified in the pre-construction site investigation report. These issues “delayed the commencement of demolition works for the main contractor” and “slowed the contractor’s work at foundation formation level” according to the planning file.
From an inspection of the site on October 28th, Executive Planner Áine Bourke and Senior Executive Planner Candace Ingram have noted in the Planner’s Report that works have already commenced on site since July 14th of this year. They also noted that substantial works have been carried out with contractors actively on site, machinery operating, and the school building fully demolished.
The previous single-storey six-classroom primary school building and boundary walls have already been demolished as part of the development. However, a 2011 four-classroom block will be retained and incorporated into the new building.
Plans were first lodged in December 2019 by the OPW on behalf of the Department of Education. The development will also involve two pedestrian entrances, two gated vehicular entrances, pedestrian pathways, a bicycle shelter, two ball courts, play areas, and the replacement of the existing gated entrance. Facilitating 24 parking spaces and associated set-down areas, the new school will cater for up to 360 students and 23 staff members, according to a report by the OPW.
Bourke and Ingram claimed in reports that the development will be completed within the set time frame. They also stated that additional or altered conditions are not required for this development.
Since the beginning of the development, students have temporarily moved onto the St Flannan’s College campus. Students will remain with St Flannan’s as agreed and return to their new school building after the next two school years.
In January 2025, St Flannan’s revealed plans for the development of additional classroom space after welcoming 1,280 students. The new building will consist of six special educational needs classrooms, three science laboratories, and a technology room. Expected to be completed by December, it was largely finished by September and therefore welcomed the 297 students of Knockanean NS, who were previously due to be temporarily located to the St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield GAA club grounds, in time for the school year.
The primary school students bid farewell to their school building in June with a final celebration. “We engaged in many activities to mark our last month in the old school building, before we relocate to the grounds of St Flannan’s,” said Mr Curran in the school’s summer newsletter, which included decorating the walls with paint and a blessing from Fr Tom, who visited for a special ceremony during the last week of school.
Principal Jim Curran said, “We want to sincerely thank the entire school community for the warmth, support, and memories we’ve shared. While we fondly remember the past, we now look ahead with excitement to beginning another chapter together in our new school grounds.”
“Thank you to all who played a part in making our final month in the old school building so special!”
The school building that previously had a home on the development site stood for 76 years. Built in 1949 by Fr Smyth, the position of principal was taken up by Mrs Doherty when it opened, and then Eileen Griffin in 1963. Currently, Knockanean NS is made up of 13 teachers, six special education teachers, and six special needs assistants, with Jim Curran holding the position of Principal.
The very first Knockanean school was built in 1824 and had 84 pupils, but closed after only 13 years. In 1842, landlord Mr Howley built a new school near Gaurus Bridge with Patrick O’Gorman as its first teacher. Standing during the time of The Famine (1845-1848), it became a feeding station for locals. From 1860-1861, the first school under the state system was built with two rooms (a boys’ school and a girls’ school) and later amalgamated in 1877.
This article first appeared in The Clare Echo print edition on November 20th, 2025. In that article, it was incorrectly stated that the Knockanean NS project would not be completed until 2030.
The Clare Echo would like to clarify that this information was incorrect and that the new building is due to be completed by February 2027. The Clare Echo would like to apologise to planners at the Office of Public Works and everyone at Knockanean National School for this error.
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