Kildare school gets IT grant 

The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Kilkea National School as part of its new national programme to provide for schools in every county throughout 2026.

Supporting technology investments that enhance digital learning and maximise the benefits of high-speed broadband connectivity, The RISE Community Fund is backed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and partners involved in the delivery of the Government’s National Broadband Plan.

Kilkea National School is a small, three-classroom school nestled in the beautiful south Kildare countryside.

The school has previously implemented initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide and supporting its students at risk of educational disadvantage as a consequence.

The latest grant will be utilised to significantly enhance its teaching around STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

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.

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.

“Kilkea National School is a modern, vibrant country school where we strive to nurture joy, curiosity and lifelong learning in every child,” said acting principal, Lucy Behan.

“We are very grateful to NBI and the RISE Community Fund for awarding us this €1,000 grant which will help us enhance our STEM, coding and computational thinking resources across all class levels. The new tools will strengthen pupils’ problem-solving".