RISE Community Fund awards grant to Scoil Naomh Bríd in Talbotstown to strengthen digital learning
The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Scoil Naomh Bríd, a small rural primary school located at the foothill of the Keadeen Mountain in West Wicklow.
The funding comes as part of a new national programme by the RISE Community Fund to provide cash injections to 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 supported by National Broadband Ireland and partners involved in the delivery of the Government’s National Broadband Plan, including KPMG, DreamDev Technologies, TLI Group, Entegro, Obelisk and Circet.
The grant will enable Scoil Naomh Bríd to introduce a centralised tablet management system for its class set of devices – a step designed to significantly enhance teaching, learning and digital skills development across the school.
Scoil Naomh Bríd is a co-educational Catholic primary school with 77 pupils and a staff of 11. Active, inclusive learning is central to the school’s approach, combining classroom instruction, group work, play-based activities and the use of technology.
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 Naomh Bríd demonstrated a thoughtful and practical vision for how technology can enhance learning in a safe, inclusive and structured way. We are proud to support their ambition and to back schools like this in every county across Ireland throughout 2026.”
Principal Lisa Jackson welcomed the funding, saying: “As a small rural school, we are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where children can develop academically, socially and emotionally. We focus on building strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, wellbeing, digital skills and important values such as respect and responsibility. This funding will allow us to introduce a tablet management system that will greatly enhance teaching and learning. Centralised control of apps and content will ensure safe, efficient and age-appropriate use of devices, reducing time spent on set-up and freeing pupils to engage in meaningful digital learning. We are very grateful for this support, which will make a real difference to our school’s digital provision.”
Damien Gallagher, Managing Director (Ireland) at Circet, commented: “Circet is proud to be one of NBI’s delivery partners for the National Broadband Plan, and we’re delighted to support the RISE Community Fund and the opportunities it creates for schools across the country. The rollout of high-speed broadband is transforming rural communities, and this initiative helps ensure young people can explore and benefit from the digital possibilities it brings.”
Established by David McCourt, the RISE Community Fund has awarded more than 160 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, the fund 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.
National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Wicklow 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 at www.riseglobalfoundation.com.
Pictured above at Scoil Naomh Bríd, Talbotstown, Wicklow, are Vanessa Cunningham, (Circet), Clare Kealy (Deputy Principal, Scoil Naomh Bríd), Sandra Dinan (Stakeholder Engagement and PR Manager, NBI), with students from Scoil Naomh Bríd.
