History of Ashbourne Community School - 1977- 1994
Ashbourne Community School opened its doors on the 1st September 1994 and this marked one of the most important moments in the history of the local community. 
For years the young people of Ashbourne had travelled to attend secondary schools in North Dublin, Dunshaughlin and Navan as there was no recognised need at the Department of Education level for a second level school in the Ashbourne area.  This was detrimental to the local area and community as its young people left the village early each morning and did not return before nightfall.   The difference it would make to have all those young people attending post primary school within the community itself would be profound.

The “Ashbourne Parents Association” had been set up to assist with financial contributions as required for the primary school, St Declan’s N.S. and  in 1977, with
its eye firmly fixed on the future, the Committee decided to contact the Department of Education and the Bishop of Meath about the possibilities and practicalities of secondary education provision for the area.    In fact the first time that “secondary education” became a fixture on the agenda of meetings of the Ashbourne Parents Association (APA) was in October 1977. 

One of the greatest advocates of a Post Primary school in Ashbourne was
Mr. David McCarthy-Smith who worked to bring this project to fruition for

twenty years and more. Mr McCarthy-Smith maintained meticulous files and

records of the process and the school is very fortunate to have these

now available in this section of our website. Included here are photographs

and extracts from newspapers and local magazine, The Ashbourne News

as well as extracts from letters and publicity material used to highlight the

cause of securing the second level school.

 

Áine O’ Sullivan

Secretary,

Board of Management.

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