Background History of Carysfort National School
With thanks to Ms Ann Baxter who taught in Carysfort NS for 43 years
In 1891 the order of the Sisters of Mercy purchased Carysfort House and grounds on Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock. Following that purchase the Sisters built a new redbrick school on the estate facing onto Convent Road. It was completed and opened in November 1895 and was known at this time as Blackrock Convent School (Clochar Scoil Náisiúnta, Muire na Trócaire). Subsequently its name was changed to Carysfort National School.
The Principals of the school were religious sisters from the Mercy Order (Sr. Columba 1895-1912, Sr. Baptista -1946, Sr. Nathy-1971, Sr. Dervilla-1977, Sr. Maol Íosa-1986). The first lay Principal Ms Caoimhe Máirtín was appointed in 1986 followed by Mrs Rita Mc Alinden 1995 -2014. Mrs Norma Linehan took over as Principal from 2014-2024 and the school is now led by Ms Fiona Collins.
The Training College for National School teachers was transferred to the Carysfort site in 1903. Carysfort National School maintained strong links with the Training College over the decades, providing generations of trainee teachers with opportunities to develop and practise new educational methodologies until its closure in 1988. Part of the current school building (Loreto House) once served as a residence for trainee teachers and another wing (Áras Mhuire) housed the Irish language Secondary school, Coláiste Iosagáin from 1971-1975 until it moved to Stillorgan.
Since 1895 many additional classrooms have been added to the original school building providing much needed space to accommodate the ever growing population of Blackrock. The incorporation of Loreto House added five extra classrooms in 1998. The Áras Mhuire building was extended by a further five classrooms in 2018.
Carysfort National School celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2020.
Four well-known past pupils of Carysfort N.S. are Niamh Bhreathnach (Minister of Education 1993-1997), Barry Andrews (MEP), Garry Ringrose and Ryan Tubridy.
Present staff members who attended Carysfort N.S. are Ms Cummiskey, Ms Mulcahy, Ms Egan, Ms Leonard and Ms Ryan.
