History of Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa
Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa is a unique type of school as it developed from the merger in 1968 of St. Kieran’s Secondary School and Clara Vocational School. St. Kieran’s, River Street, was established in 1957 by the Franciscan Brothers. In 1962 a Vocational School was opened at Frederick Street. After protracted negotiations between the Department of Education, Offaly V.E.C. and the Franciscans, it was agreed in 1968 to merge the two schools under the name of Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa. The first Principal of the Vocational school was Mr. John McKeever. He was succeeded in 1964 by Mr. Tom Monahan who later became Principal of the combined schools, the Vice Principal being Brother Fridolin McCusker the former Principal of St. Kieran’s.
All aspects of formal post-primary education were now together for the first time in Clara and the school has grown as a truly comprehensive education establishment. After the amalgamation, the Leaving Certificate was phased out and the school functioned as a Junior School with technical, scientific, academic and commercial streams running together. The Leaving Certificate was re-introduced in 1976.
In 1990, St. Anthony’s College closed and as a result Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa became the only Post Primary school in the town of Clara. The school extension was built and officially opened in November 1993 replacing the pre-fabricated buildings with 11 new rooms, a Gymnasium and office facilities.
The first decade of the 21st century has seen the development of the school continue with modernising the existing facilities. The Science Room, Engineering and Construction Workshops, Computer Room, Technical Graphics/ Design and Home Economics Room have been modernised to the highest standard, continuing the policy of Co. Offaly V.E.C. and School Management of bringing the highest possible quality of Education to Clara.