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School Profile
St. Mary’s is a co-educational primary school which caters for 290 pupils. Located just over 3 miles south of Dundalk in an expanding village, the area has still managed to retain its idyllic, rural charm. The local Tidy Towns Committee are very active and have had great success at county and national level. Knockbridge (Cnoc Bríde) is steeped in local history and legend. The region features prominently in the Táin Bó Cuailgne series and 'Cloch an Fhir Mhóir', a standing stone at the edge of the village, is reportedly the place where Cúchulainn made his last noble stand before he died.The River Fane which flows through the village is believed to be the place where Queen Meabh of Connaught rested her army before she undertook to battle with Cúchulainn to secure the Brown Bull of Cooley.
There is currently a teaching staff of 15 in the school including the principal, Mr Brian McDonnell, as well as two ancillary services staff and two special needs assistants.
In the late ‘60’s Kilcroney N.S closed and amalgamated with Knockbridge N.S. As the village grew, so too did the need for a larger premises. In 1969 the present school was opened next to the original building which now houses the local community centre. An extension comprising of 2 new classrooms, a G.P. room, staff room and office was added in 1999. In 2006 the Dept. of Education and Science approved the provision of 4 classrooms to replace existing prefabs. Work on this project, as well as a new entrance and considerable modification of the existing building, was completed in September 2008. A new carpark was constructed to the rear of the extension and extensive landscaping has been carried out. The pupils, staff and parents of the school are now reaping the benefits of this ambitious building programme.