The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Fermoyle National School 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.

Fermoyle National School is a welcoming rural primary school located near the shores of Lough Ree and caters to students from the local community of Fermoyle, Lanesborough and surrounding areas. The school has worked hard to create a modern environment with strong digital capabilities to enhance the curriculum and co-operative educational environment. 

Elaine Sheridan, Principal at Fermoyle National School, commented:“Receiving this grant is a wonderful support for Fermoyle National School and our students. The funding will help us further assist children with additional learning needs, enhance pupils’ IT skills, and create more opportunities for students to engage with technology in meaningful and creative ways.

“As part of our ongoing development, we actively integrate technology across the curriculum, particularly within STEM, to support learning outcomes and teaching strategies in line with the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum. This grant will also allow us to participate in further IT initiatives and continue preparing our pupils with the digital skills and confidence they will need for their future learning and lives.”

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. Fermoyle National School 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.

Damien Gallagher, Managing Director (Ireland) at Circet, said: “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.”

National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Longford 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.