RISE Community Fund supports Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa with new cash grant

The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon as part of its new national programme to provide cash injections to schools in every county throughout 2026.

Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa is a welcoming and vibrant rural primary school located in Kilcloon. The school has worked hard to create a modern environment with strong digital capabilities to nurture each pupil’s full, educational potential.

Ken Keogan, Principal at Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa, said: "We are delighted to receive this €1,000 grant from the RISE Community Fund. This funding will support our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality education while continuing to develop a modern and innovative digital learning environment for our pupils.

“At our school, we believe technology should enhance teaching, learning and assessment across the curriculum, while also fostering creativity, collaboration and engagement among students. Digital technologies play an important role in helping our pupils create meaningful content and reach their full potential, including those with additional learning needs.

“Our mission is 'Success for All, a Happy School Learning and Growing Together', and this grant will help us continue to provide opportunities that enable every child to thrive and flourish in a supportive and forward-looking learning environment."

Established by David McCourt, the RISE Community Fund has awarded close to 200 cash grants nationwide to rural schools, community groups, farms, small businesses and social enterprises seeking to use technology to scale the positive impact of their work.

Commenting on the grant, David McCourt, Chairman of National Broadband Ireland and founder of the RISE Community Fund, said: “When we created RISE, it was with a clear purpose - to ensure that rural communities could fully benefit from the transformative power of connectivity. As the National Broadband Plan progresses towards completion, it’s vital that our schools are equipped not just with access to broadband, but with the technology that allows them to use it effectively. Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa has done a fantastic job investing in technology to empower their young pupils, and now we’re delighted to accelerate that further with this grant.”

Through its 2026 national schools programme, RISE aims to ensure that children in rural Ireland can fully benefit from digital connectivity and develop the skills needed to thrive in a modern, technology-driven world.

John Rooney, CEO of Entegro, commented: “Entegro is proud to support the RISE Community Fund as part of our ongoing partnership with NBI on the National Broadband Plan. We see first-hand the positive impact that high-speed fibre broadband is having in rural communities, and initiatives like this help ensure that schools and students can fully benefit from improved connectivity. Supporting young people to engage with digital opportunities is key to building stronger, more connected communities for the future.”

National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Meath residents to visit nbi.ie and check their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect and to find out more about placing an order.

Further information about the RISE Community Fund is available here.