Our School Blog
RIP Leon Briody, aged 9, a beloved member of Castletara N.S. who passed away in the loving arms of his family on 11/09/25.
The school community want to extend their deepest sympathy to Leon’s mum Diane, dad Alan, brothers Fionnan and Caolán, little sister Allie, grandmother Eileen who is also our work colleague and all his extended family.
Leon also has so many cousins and friends in our school whose hearts are broken. We just want you to know that we will always be here to help and look after you all as the days and weeks pass.
The children in school knew that Leon was very sick, sometimes that was quite visible to see when he had to wear his little tube for feeding in Junior infants or when he had his special chair to sit in, but they don’t remember this when they think of Leon.
When we asked the children to talk about Leon a few days ago. They spoke about their friend Leon, their classmate, a boy who loved his football, loved to get up to mischief and loved to put a smile on people’s faces. Whenever you mentioned Leon’s name in school to either children or staff their eyes would brighten, and then some might burst out laughing because they thought of a funny story or something witty, he had said.
Here are some of things the children said about Leon in their own words
Leon was so so funny, he made us all laugh.
I remember Leon’s smiles.
Leon loved to knee slide after scoring a goal.
Leon was a professional footballer.
Leon was brave, strong and happy.
Leon was a great friend.
All the staff loved Leon too, but we all know he had a special relationship with his SNA Sabrina and didn’t mind throwing her under the bus either. On one occasion in class, the teacher had asked the children to work away quietly, there was a bit of whispering going on at the back of the room and the teacher asked; who’s doing all that talking, quick as you Like Leon shouts up,
IT’S SABRINA!! And he winked at her and said “now Sabrina you are in trouble with teacher!”
Leon also didn’t mind rustling up some business for his dad’s garage in school. When Ms. Tierney’s car had broken down, Leon offered for his dad to fix it. However, it came at a high price. He said
“I’m going to get my dad to fix your car but it will cost you 1000 euro and I’m going to go shopping for toys with the money.”
Sadly, Leon couldn’t be with us in school everyday but when he was out and about during school time, people would ask him,
“are you not in school today Leon?” and his reply was, “my daddy say’s I’m too bright for school.”
Leon showed tremendous strength and courage throughout his illness, but to us he wasn’t just a sick boy, he was our Leon, bright, funny, caring with wicked sense of humour. He was a very special person who had that gift of making people happy, just by being himself.
Thank you, Leon for being part of our lives. Your infectious smile and laugh will live with on with us, in the classrooms, throughout the corridors, the yard, the football field. Goodbye for now Leon, and your dad was right ‘you were too bright for school’
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Tara Brady Principal
& The pupils and Staff of Castletara N.S.
The day was packed with fun, energy, and excellent coaching, giving our pupils a chance to develop their football and hurling skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.
The sessions were led by a group of Ballyhaise GAA volunteers, including some former pupils, which made the day even more special. It was great for the children to see past students returning to help and share their love for the game.
Every group was given the chance to take part in a variety of drills and games, all focused on building confidence, teamwork, and core GAA skills. The volunteers were fantastic with the children—encouraging, patient, and full of enthusiasm throughout.
We’d like to offer a sincere thank you to Ballyhaise GAA and all the volunteers who gave their time to organise and run the day. The effort and planning that went into it were clear to see, and the children came away smiling, inspired, and more confident in their skills.
Days like this show the real strength of our local community, and we’re proud to continue building strong links between the school and the club.
Here’s what some of our pupils had to say:
"I really liked the soloing game—we got to race each other and I won my group!" – 4th Class
"It was cool learning from older players who used to be in our school." – 5th Class
"The coaches were so nice. They showed us how to kick the ball better." – 2nd Class
"I hope we can do it again next year!" – 3rd Class
We are now enrolling for all mainstream classes at Castletara N.S.
There are places available in all year groups.
To apply, please follow this link:
📝 Enrolment Form
After completing the form, please email the school at office@castletarans.ie
As we come to the end of another school year at Castletara N.S., we would like to thank everyone who contributed to a positive and productive year.
A sincere thank you to all our staff for their continued hard work and support throughout the year. Their commitment to the day-to-day running of the school and the care shown to pupils is greatly appreciated.
We also want to extend our best wishes to Ms. Tara Ronayne, who is taking a career break. We thank her for her contribution to school life and wish her all the best in the time ahead and look forward to her return.
Staffing arrangements for the next school year have been shared with families via Aladdin.
To all our parents and guardians, thank you for your support and cooperation over the past year. Your involvement plays an important role in the life of the school.
We also wish to acknowledge the work of the Board of Management, whose ongoing support helps guide and manage school matters.
A note of thanks as well to our Parents’ Association, whose help with various events and activities during the year has been greatly valued by staff and pupils alike.
We return to school on Wednesday, 27th August at 8:50 a.m.
We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to welcoming pupils back in the new school year.
Our 6th Class recently took on an exciting and meaningful challenge—completing the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail ("The Stairway to Heaven") to raise funds for the Little Blue Heroes Foundation.
The pupils put in an incredible effort, not only in completing the scenic and demanding walk, but also in their fundraising. We’re proud to share that they raised over €1,000 for this wonderful charity, which supports families with seriously ill children.
The experience was both enjoyable and rewarding. The weather was kind on the day, and the group showed great spirit and determination as they climbed the steps and took in the stunning views from the top.
A big thank you to Ms. Ronayne, the 6th Class teacher, for organising the walk and supporting the children every step of the way. Thanks also to the parents and families who contributed so generously and encouraged the pupils throughout their fundraising efforts.
The success of this initiative reflects the kindness, teamwork, and commitment of our 6th Class pupils. Not only did they take on a physical challenge, but they also helped make a real difference to others.
We would also like to give special thanks to Detective Ann Marie Brady, who has dedicated so much of her time and energy to the Little Blue Heroes Foundation over the years. Ann Marie has played a key role in raising awareness and support for the charity within our school, having organised several Little Blue Heroes events for the pupils in recent years. Her commitment and passion have made a lasting impact on our school community.
Well done to everyone involved!
To round off a wonderful school year, we held our much-loved Castletara N.S. Talent Show, giving our pupils a chance to step into the spotlight and share their talents with friends, staff, and families.
The aim of the day was simple—to create a fun, relaxed, and supportive space where children could perform without pressure, and just enjoy the experience. And they did exactly that!
We were treated to a brilliant variety of acts, including singers, musicians, comedians, gymnasts, and dancers. Every performance was unique, and the atmosphere in the hall was full of encouragement, laughter, and applause. It was a joy to see the pupils shine in their own way—whether on the microphone, at the piano, or showing off their dance moves.
The talent show was not only hugely entertaining, but also a lovely reminder of the creativity and confidence that lives in every corner of our school.
Here’s what some of our pupils had to say:
“I was nervous at the start, but once I got on stage, it felt great!” – Jack, 5th Class
“I loved seeing all the different acts—everyone was really good at something.” – Ava, 4th Class
“My favourite part was playing guitar with my friend. It was so much fun.” – Cian, 6th Class
“It was nice to just have fun and not worry about winning anything.” – Ella, 3rd Class
We want to say a big thank you to all the staff and parents who helped prepare the children and supported them in getting ready to perform. And most importantly, a heartfelt thank you to the pupils—your bravery, imagination, and enthusiasm made the day so special.
What a great way to finish the school year on a high!
We were thrilled to take part in a colouring competition recently organised by the Ballyhaise Development Committee for the pupils of Castletara NS.
The children really enjoyed the chance to get creative and show off their artistic skills. Every entry was full of colour, imagination, and effort, making the judging very difficult! It was clear how much thought and care went into each picture.
Well done to all who took part and especially to those whose artwork was chosen. A big thank you to the Ballyhaise Development Committee for organising the event and for supporting creativity in our school. Activities like this help bring the school and wider community together, and the children really appreciated the opportunity to take part.
We look forward to more creative projects in the future!
This year’s Sports Day was a fantastic success, filled with energy, laughter, and great weather from start to finish. Held on Tuesday 10th June, the whole school came together to enjoy a wide range of activities, from classic races to creative challenges that kept everyone on their toes.
Pupils took part in traditional sprints, egg-and-spoon races, and three-legged races, as well as newer events like table tennis rallies, a shoot-the-target challenge, and an exciting group water race that had everyone cheering.
There was also a long jump, a bean bag toss, relay races, and an obstacle course that tested both balance and speed. The variety of events gave every student a chance to take part and enjoy the day in their own way.
The sunshine only added to the fun—and the arrival of the ice cream van, generously sponsored by the Parents’ Association, was a highlight for many. Big smiles and happy faces could be seen all around the yard and field.
Here’s what some of our students had to say:
“The water race was so funny—our whole team got soaked but we still won!” – 5th Class
“I liked the shoot-the-target game best. I hit it three times in a row!” – 3rd Class
“The ice cream at the end was the best surprise ever!” – 2nd Class
“It was my last Sports Day here, and I’ll never forget it.” – 6th Class
A huge thank you to all the staff who planned and ran the events, kept things running smoothly, and made sure everyone had a great time. Their effort made a big difference, and the day wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Well done to all the pupils for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It was a day to remember!
On Thursday 5th June, we held our 6th Class Graduation, marking an important step as our students finish their time in primary school and prepare for the move to secondary school.
The event was thoughtful and meaningful, giving students and families a chance to reflect on their time at Castletara N.S. There were speeches, songs, and a chance for everyone to come together and acknowledge the effort and progress of the 6th Class over the years.
We would like to sincerely thank Ms. Ronayne, Mr. Flynn, and Mr. Armstrong for all the work they put into preparing the students—not just for graduation, but throughout the year. Their support has made a real difference.
A big thank you also goes to all the staff who helped with the event. From setting up the space to helping with music, photos, videos and refreshments, their teamwork made the day run smoothly.
We wish our graduating class all the best as they move on to the next stage of their education. Well done to everyone involved.