Canon Robert Brophy’s Rationale for a new school
Scoil Niocláis was established in 2000 as a result of discussions between Canon Robert Brophy, who was ministering in the parish of Frankfield-Grange in the 1990s and the Department of Education, Inspector Seán Ó Floinn and Bishop John Buckley and Clare O’Leary from the diocesan office. Canon Brophy saw the Frankfield-Grange parish expand rapidly with many new estates being built and over 4,500 households in the area. Canon Brophy saw a community where people had no connection and he strongly felt that the parish needed a school to strengthen the community.
In the last week of April 1999, the new school was sanctioned and announced by the then Minister of Education, Micheál Martin T.D. In May 1999, the Design team was appointed and the plans for the (2004) school building began. Plans were designed to build a new school on a four acre site behind the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield. A 16 classroom school was initially planned for, with a second phase planned with 8 more classrooms as an extension. This extension finally became a 16 room extension in 2014.
Scoil Niocláis was established in 2000 as a result of discussions between Canon Robert Brophy, who was ministering in the parish of Frankfield-Grange in the 1990s and the Department of Education, Inspector Seán Ó Floinn and Bishop John Buckley and Clare O’Leary from the diocesan office. Canon Brophy saw the Frankfield-Grange parish expand rapidly with many new estates being built and over 4,500 households in the area. Canon Brophy saw a community where people had no connection and he strongly felt that the parish needed a school to strengthen the community.
In the last week of April 1999, the new school was sanctioned and announced by the then Minister of Education, Micheál Martin T.D. In May 1999, the Design team was appointed and the plans for the (2004) school building began. Plans were designed to build a new school on a four acre site behind the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield. A 16 classroom school was initially planned for, with a second phase planned with 8 more classrooms as an extension. This extension finally became a 16 room extension in 2014.
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Humble beginnings
A Catholic co-educational primary school was founded to serve the community. Micheál Ó Cochláin was appointed the first principal, starting on 1st September 2000 and with Canon Brophy as Chairperson of the Board of Management, this dynamic duo set about enrolling pupils and getting temporary accommodation for their first pupils. The two classroom temporary accommodation was provided at a cost of £100,000 and included a reception area, an office and a staff room.
A Catholic co-educational primary school was founded to serve the community. Micheál Ó Cochláin was appointed the first principal, starting on 1st September 2000 and with Canon Brophy as Chairperson of the Board of Management, this dynamic duo set about enrolling pupils and getting temporary accommodation for their first pupils. The two classroom temporary accommodation was provided at a cost of £100,000 and included a reception area, an office and a staff room.
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Scoil Niocláis School Crest
Scoil Niocláis was named by Mr. Ó Cochláin after the patron saint of children, Saint Nicolas of Myra. Every year we honour St. Nicholas on his feast day, December 6th, with a school mass.
The school motto was ‘Doras Feasa Fiafraí’. The road to knowledge is learning and the school endeavours to create an environment where everyone is free to question and encouraged to think critically. The crest incorporates an acorn to symbolise that ‘Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow’. It also incorporates a cross to signify the Catholic ethos that the school espouses.
Scoil Niocláis was named by Mr. Ó Cochláin after the patron saint of children, Saint Nicolas of Myra. Every year we honour St. Nicholas on his feast day, December 6th, with a school mass.
The school motto was ‘Doras Feasa Fiafraí’. The road to knowledge is learning and the school endeavours to create an environment where everyone is free to question and encouraged to think critically. The crest incorporates an acorn to symbolise that ‘Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow’. It also incorporates a cross to signify the Catholic ethos that the school espouses.
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School Starting
Our first 32 Junior Infants started on September 18th 2000 in pre-fabricated buildings behind the church where the car park is now. They were in two small classes of 16 and they were taught by the principal, Micheál Ó Cochláin and Sheelagh Bean Uí Laoire who joined a short time later on 13th November 2000 to teach the second Junior Infant class.
Our first 32 Junior Infants started on September 18th 2000 in pre-fabricated buildings behind the church where the car park is now. They were in two small classes of 16 and they were taught by the principal, Micheál Ó Cochláin and Sheelagh Bean Uí Laoire who joined a short time later on 13th November 2000 to teach the second Junior Infant class.
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Pamela Thornhill was the secretary in 2000 and Arthur O’Callaghan was caretaker.
The following year, in 2001, the two classes merged into one senior infant class and two new Junior Infant classes started. Two more prefabricated buildings were added and teachers, Dan O’Sullivan and Mary Roche and SNA, Jackie Lehane were appointed.
Teachers Miriam Kenny, Rosemary Lee and SNA, Yvonne O’Flynn were appointed in 2002.
Siobhán Bradley, Davy Walsh and Marge O’Brien were appointed in 2003.
The school rapidly grew in the following years to a full staff of over seventy.
The following year, in 2001, the two classes merged into one senior infant class and two new Junior Infant classes started. Two more prefabricated buildings were added and teachers, Dan O’Sullivan and Mary Roche and SNA, Jackie Lehane were appointed.
Teachers Miriam Kenny, Rosemary Lee and SNA, Yvonne O’Flynn were appointed in 2002.
Siobhán Bradley, Davy Walsh and Marge O’Brien were appointed in 2003.
The school rapidly grew in the following years to a full staff of over seventy.
We moved from pre-fabs to the main school building in October 2004. We had sixteen mainstream classroom, SEN rooms, Principal, Deputy Principal and secretary offices and a hall. We celebrated later that year with a mass and concert. Michéal Martin opening the building and Bishop John Buckley gave his blessing.
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The same day we moved in, Canon Brophy submitted the plans for the extension and doubled his efforts to get the plans for the two new building, hall extension and Link building approved. His efforts took time to reach fruition and as the school grew it, we saw the addition of eighteen more pre-fabricated buildings set up where the teachers car park and astroturf now are situated. The SEN department were in further pre-fabs on the main yard.
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Retirement and New Extension
October 2011 saw the retirement of Micheál Ó Cochláín and the appointment of Sheelagh Bean Uí Laoire as principal. Rosemary Lee was appointed Deputy Principal. Bean Uí Laoire oversaw the second extension which was opened in late August 2014. Our Doirín Álainn building (4th & 6th classes) refers to a little grove of trees, in keeping with the theme of mighty Oaks from little acorns growing. Our Naomh Bríd building (3rd & 5th classes) refers to St. Bridget’s strong association with the Oak tree. She founded her monastery in Kildare. (Church of the Oak)
October 2011 saw the retirement of Micheál Ó Cochláín and the appointment of Sheelagh Bean Uí Laoire as principal. Rosemary Lee was appointed Deputy Principal. Bean Uí Laoire oversaw the second extension which was opened in late August 2014. Our Doirín Álainn building (4th & 6th classes) refers to a little grove of trees, in keeping with the theme of mighty Oaks from little acorns growing. Our Naomh Bríd building (3rd & 5th classes) refers to St. Bridget’s strong association with the Oak tree. She founded her monastery in Kildare. (Church of the Oak)
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With the school under one roof, we settled into our beautiful new buildings. We celebrated with a Gala concert on April 22nd 2015 and pupils from 3rd to 6th, school choir and Irish Dancers shone on stage in the City Hall as they sang and danced in celebration. Three school based concerts followed in June with Junior Infants to second following suit with singing and dancing. Funds raised went towards the astroturf pitch.
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On January 5th 2022, Sheelagh Bean Uí Laoire retired and Marc Ó Síocháin took over on 31st January 2022 as third Principal of Scoil Niocláis. That year a modular building was added to the yard to accommodate a 33rd mainstream class in 2023.
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Micheál Martin visited in September 2022 and the Slovenian Ambassador and Michael McGrath visited on May 9th 2023 to celebrate Europe Day with us. We achieved our final green flag for Global Citizenship and Energy. In September 2025, Scoil Niocláis celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a fabulous Funday with all its pupils and on October 10th, with past pupils, staff and parents in a ceremony in the school hall.
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In August 2021, the first Autism class opened with six pupils attending, followed by a second in 2023, a third in 2024 and a fourth in 2025. Our AS classes are organised by our SENCO, Michelle Lane.
We have two sensory rooms in the Naomh Bríd building.
We have two sensory rooms in the Naomh Bríd building.
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As part of our 2025 plans, a large room in the main building which accommodates three sensory pods has been established. Equipping this room is our focus for fundraising this year as part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations.