Community Engagement
At Lough Gur NS, we learn from and with our community — visiting local places, building connections, and celebrating all that our area has to offer.
Community Tractor Fun Run
On 13th December 2025, we were delighted to host our first ever Lough Gur NS Children’s Christmas Tractor Run, which was a fantastic day for the whole community.
The event began with the blessing of the Lough Gur crib, followed by a fun run for the children along the front of the school using scooters, tractors, bikes and trikes. With music playing and a great atmosphere throughout, it was a wonderful way to bring everyone together.
A highlight of the day was the range of decorated tractors, with judging kindly carried out by John McNamara. The arrival of a specially decorated vehicle covered in Christmas lights added to the excitement, while the adult choir brought a lovely festive feel to the morning.
After the run, everyone gathered in the school to enjoy hot chocolate, face painting and a fantastic spread of homemade baking. The day also included a magic show for the children and a visit from Kilmallock Fire Brigade, which was a huge hit.
The event was a great celebration of community spirit, and we were delighted with the support from families and the wider community.
Milford Hospice Coffee Morning
We were delighted to take part in the Coffee Morning Fundraiser organised by Mr Finch in the Honey Fitz Theatre in September, in aid of Milford Hospice. Our pupils picked blackberries from the bramble bushes on our school grounds and used them to bake delicious apple and blackberry crumbles and muffins to donate to the bake sale. They thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Honey Fitz to lend a hand , and, of course, to enjoy a well-earned baked treat
Visiting the Houses of the Oireachtas
In June, our pupils enjoyed a private tour of the Dáil and Seanad, kindly hosted by Minister Niall Collins. They saw both Houses in session, learned about the history of the Oireachtas, and met several politicians who shared insights into how our government works. Our small size allows us to make meaningful connections and take part in unique learning experiences beyond the classroom.
Farm Visit to the McNamara Family Farm
Our pupils recently enjoyed an unforgettable visit to John McNamara’s farm, organised with support from the Kerry Group. They learned about modern dairy farming, from milking cows and feeding calves to grassland management and machinery use, even getting the chance to sit in a tractor!
A special thank you to Jack McNamara, who shared stories of farming in days gone by, including how cows were hand-milked. Experiences like this show how our strong community connections and small school size allow us to take part in rich, hands-on learning that connects classroom learning to real life.
