St Mochta's National School in Louth celebrates 50th anniversary

The community of Louth Village and the surrounding areas will have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of St Mochta's National School with an incredible family fun day on Sunday June 25.

The school, which opened at its current site at Feran Drive, Louth Village, in 1973, is also marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of the impressive extension, which was overseen by former principal Niall Sloan and completed in 2013.

For current principal, Patrick Martin, the fiftieth anniversary is an opportunity for the whole community to come together to have fun-filled summer’s afternoon, while also raising funds for the Parents’ Association’s next project - a new playground that will allow children of all abilities to enjoy their breaktimes. Mr Martin also has an anniversary with St Mochta's NS in 2023 – he is marking ten years at the school.

St Mochta's NS holds a special place in the heart of the community of Louth Village, with over 140 pupils currently enrolled. Earlier this academic year, two new autism classes were opened, accommodating 12 students. 

Mr Martin said: ‘The opening of the autism classes has been fantastic for the school, for all the children in the school as we strive towards breaking down barriers. The school community has been very welcoming of the new classes and we have all benefitted’.

Aileen Carroll, vice principal, said: ‘The autism classes have been something we have been working on behind the scenes for a number of years and we are very proud to be celebrating our first year open after all the hard work and planning’.

There are currently 19 staff employed at the school, a jump from ten a year ago. There are, of course, ongoing and increased costs of running St Mochta's NS, and the Parents’ Association, under the chairpersonship of Catherine Shaw, decided to organise a family fun day.

Mr Martin said: "The fun day is a great opportunity for the community to get together to help us celebrate this milestone anniversary for the school and also to raise funds. We want to build an inclusive play area for all the children in the school, as well as upgrading the IT infrastructure.”

The fun day gets underway at 1pm on June 25 and will continue to 5pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and a wonderful day is guaranteed with plenty of activities including amusements, food, refreshments, a pony party, a DJ, local community groups (the Teddy Bears Club, Girl Guides, St Mochta's GFC and the youth club), and a raffle, and much, much more. Donations to the playground project are most welcome on the day.

Mr Martin said: “This is a great way to mark the fiftieth anniversary and to bring the community together for a fun afternoon. I want to thank all the staff, in particular vice principal, Aileen Carroll, for all the work they do every day to make the school the vibrant place we love’.

Entry is free to the event, but tickets need to be reserved on Eventbrite.ie here.