The History of Glenbeg National School

Glenbeg National School is a co-educational, primary country school situated 3 kilometers from Dungarvan in the Brickey Valley, set against the backdrop of the Drum Hills. Today, the school accommodates six mainstream teachers, two ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) classes, and two full-time Special Education Teachers.

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Early Beginnings (1900s–1930s)
The school opened its doors to its first pupils on November 26, 1900, under the direction of a single teacher. During the 1920s and 1930s, enrollment grew sufficiently to justify hiring a second teacher.

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At the time, the original building comprised one large room that could be partitioned into smaller spaces during lessons. A stone wall separated the school ground from the road—a feature that remains standing today. Inside, play areas were divided, with boys and girls kept on separate sides of a wall.

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Conditions were typical for rural Irish schools of the era:

Heating: There was no central heating. Teachers had to light open fires each morning, which took hours to warm the room. Stoves were occasionally used to heat the students' drink bottles for lunch.

Water: The facility lacked running water. Children walked several miles to attend each day, often stopping along the way to play or fish in the adjacent stream. Female pupils from that period recalled being sent to fetch water from the stream for washing and cooking.

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Modernization and Growth (1980s–Present)
By the mid-1980s, community advocacy led to major upgrades. Following a campaign by the Parents Action Committee in 1985, the school underwent a significant transformation in 1987. During construction, the three teachers and their students relocated for a year. The renovated building provided dedicated classrooms for each teacher alongside updated facilities.

Centenary & 2000s: By its centenary in 2000, enrollment had grown to nearly 100 students served by five teaching staff. The decade brought further developments, including a new extension, porch, and school office.

Inclusive Education (2010s–Present): Glenbeg National School expanded its special education provision by opening its first ASD class in 2018, followed by a second in September 2019. Prefabricated classrooms and a permanent staff carpark were added to accommodate the expanding school community, with ongoing plans for a permanent extension to further enhance learning facilities.