The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Scoil Mhuire Loughegar as part of its new national programme 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 backed 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.

Scoil Mhuire Loughegar is a welcoming rural primary school located six miles north of Mullingar. Serving a little over 200 pupils from a wide catchment area, the school has worked hard to create a modern environment with strong digital capabilities, including all classrooms being equipped with interactive panels and iPads. 

Niall Brennan, Principal at Scoil Mhuire Loughegar, commented: “We are delighted to receive this €1,000 grant, which will enable us to bring our whole-school digital storytelling project ‘Our School, Our Story’ to life. This funding will help us enhance our digital infrastructure, support teacher development in digital learning, and provide our pupils with exciting opportunities to develop creativity, confidence, and important ICT skills. Most importantly, the project will celebrate the unique identity, history, and community spirit of Scoil Mhuire Loughegar. We look forward to showcasing our pupils’ work and strengthening the connection between our school, our families, and the wider community.” 

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 Mhuire Loughegar 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 Westmeath 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.