As school celebrates 30th anniversary

19:10, 04 Sep 2026Updated 19:33, 04 Sep 2026

The Taoiseach turning the sod at Kinsale Community School(Image: John Allen)

Taoiseach Micheál Martin went down to Kinsale today to officially turn the sod on a huge development for Kinsale Community School.

It comes at a significant time for Kinsale Community School, with September marking the school’s 30th anniversary. The school first opened its doors to second-level students on September 1, 1996 and – having originally been built to accommodate 460 students – has since grown to a thriving school community of almost 1,500 students.

The new development, built on a €22 million investment by the state, is set to provide the additional capacity and specialist facilities required to meet the needs of the school’s expanding student population. The extension will include additional science facilities, specialist rooms for students with additional educational needs – as well as a new Digital Research Hub.

Mr Martin with pupils(Image: John Allen)

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Mr Martin said: “This €22 million investment is an important commitment to the future of Kinsale Community School and the community it serves. I am delighted to mark the beginning of this significant development as the school celebrates 30 years of education in Kinsale.”

Principal of Kinsale Community School, Mr Fergal McCarthy, added: “This is a very significant moment for Kinsale Community School. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, this development will provide the additional capacity and outstanding facilities our growing school needs. We are extremely grateful for this investment, which will benefit generations of students and the wider Kinsale community.”

It follows a €13.6 million investment that the school received in 2021. Last year, Transition Year students from the school came out on top at the VEX Robotics Irish Nationals, securing a trip to Dallas, Texas for the VEX Robotics World Championships.

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