Our History

Our School History 

Fybough National School (Scoil na Fadhbaí) opened at its current location in 1964, when pupils and teachers transferred west from Old Fybough School, originally established in 1869. This relocation marked a significant milestone in the school’s history and laid the foundations for the modern school community that exists today.

The school takes its name from the local townland of Fybough. The Irish word Fadbh refers to small hills or knobs protruding from the mountainside, a feature that accurately reflects the distinctive natural landscape surrounding the school. The school logo, designed by the pupils themselves, reflects this natural beauty and symbolises the deeply rooted connection to the surrounding environment that is shared by pupils, staff, and families within the school community.

A significant extension was officially opened in 2006. This development included the construction of new, modernly designed classrooms and toilet facilities, an extended car park, and the development of a multi-purpose school room, now known as The Halla. This facility has become a valuable asset to the school community and continues to support a wide range of curricular, extracurricular, and whole-school gatherings and activities.

Throughout its history, Fybough National School has operated as either a two-teacher or three-teacher school, depending on enrolment trends. At the time of its establishment in the current building, the school enrolled 56 pupils and functioned as a two-teacher school, with Mr Ger Browne (Ballymacelligott) appointed as the founding Principal. Subsequent increases in enrolment resulted in the school becoming a three-teacher school on a number of occasions, with additional staff appointed as required. Conversely, periods of reduced enrolment led to a return to two-teacher status at various points in the school’s history. Since 2016, Fybough National School has maintained a stable enrolment and currently operates as a two-teacher school, supported by a shared Special Education Teacher.

Fybough National School has a strong and enduring tradition in Irish culture, particularly in sport and traditional music. Pupils regularly participate in local and county GAA and soccer competitions. In 1994, the school achieved significant success by winning both the boys’ and girls’ two-teacher county Cumann na mBunscol competitions in their inaugural year. The school has continued to perform strongly in subsequent years, reaching the finals on several occasions. Most recently, in 2023, the school won the two-teacher boys’ Cumann na mBunscol county final, marking a particularly notable achievement after a period of 29 years.

The school is committed to providing a holistic, inclusive, and high-quality educational experience and actively engages in a wide range of local and national initiatives. These include the Green Flag, Active Flag, and Amber Flag programmes. The school also participates in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Gaelbhratach, Creative Schools, BLAST, Creative Clusters, and Curious Minds. Engagement in these initiatives reflects the school’s strong emphasis on wellbeing, creativity, environmental awareness, enterprise, Gaeilge, and the development of the whole child.

The school community is immensely proud of its past pupils and their achievements, and strong connections are maintained as pupils progress to second-level education and beyond. Former pupils continue to contribute to school life through work experience, volunteering, coaching, support for whole-school sporting and creative initiatives, sacramental preparation, and by sharing sporting and personal achievements. Pupils’ successes are consistently acknowledged and celebrated by both pupils and staff, past and present. This ongoing engagement is a testament to the strong sense of connectedness and the lasting relationships fostered within the Fybough National School community.