Laois primary school under construction receives major cash boost
Gaelscoil Shlí Dála in Ballaghmore has been awarded a grant for tech equipment for its new facilities
An Irish language Laois primary school currently under construction has been awarded a grant by the RISE Community Fund.
A new school building is being built for Gaelscoil Shlí Dála in Ballaghmore, after the school has had to work out of prefabs for the past 20 years.
Now, the Rise Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to the primary school for the provision of new tech equipment to support its new facilities that are currently under construction.
The funding comes as part of a new national programme by the RISE Community Fund to provide cash boosts to schools in every county throughout 2026, supporting technology investments that enhance digital learning and maximise the benefits of high-speed broadband connectivity.
Through its 2026 national schools programme, the fund aims to ensure that children in rural Ireland can fully benefit from digital connectivity and develop the skills needed to thrive in a modern, technology-driven world.
The RISE Community Fund is supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and partners involved in the delivery of the Government’s National Broadband Plan, including KPMG, DreamDev Technologies, TLI Group, Entegro, Obelisk and Circet.
Members of the RISE Board and the community fund's partners met with Principal Treasa Uí Chinnéide and students from Gaelscoil Shlí Dála. These included Anna-Marie McHugh from RISE Board, Jerry Ryan from Entegro, Laura Dillon and Eoin Barry from DreamDev Technologies Ltd, Darren Maher and John Cullen from Obelisk, Manus O’Connor and Pauric McGuinness from Circet, as well as Michael Cronin and Sandra Dinan from NBI.
The grant will enable Gaelscoil Shlí Dála to move forward with a number of technology investments that are planned to significantly enhance teaching, learning and digital skills development across the school.
Welcoming the grant, Principal Uí Chinnéide said: "We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding from National Broadband Ireland and the RISE Community Fund at such an exciting time for Gaelscoil Shlí Dála.
"Construction is currently underway in Ballaghmore as we expand our facilities to meet growing enrolment, with new classrooms, shared spaces and enhanced outdoor areas planned as we prepare to reopen to mark our 20th school year.
"This grant will play an important role in supporting the technology requirements of our new school building and in helping our pupils and teachers further develop their digital skills as part of everyday learning."
Also commenting on the grant for the Ballaghmore school, Chairman of NBI and founder of the RISE Community Fund, David McCourt said: "When we created RISE, it was with a clear purpose - to ensure that rural communities could fully benefit from the transformative power of connectivity. As the National Broadband Plan progresses towards completion, it’s vital that our schools are equipped not just with access to broadband, but with the technology that allows them to use it effectively.
"Due to the successful philosophy installed by Gaelscoil Shlí Dála which is supported by digitally equipped classrooms, they’re seeing increased demand for places. We are proud to support their ambition and to back schools like this in every county across Ireland throughout 2026."