The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Scoil Mhuire Lacken 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.

Scoil Mhuire Lacken National School is a vibrant and welcoming rural primary school on the outskirts of Ballinagh. As an integral part of the Lacken community, the school has worked hard to create a modern environment with strong digital capabilities to enhance the curriculum and support students to achieve their full potential.  

Tony Riley, Principal at Scoil Mhuire Lacken National School, commented:“We are very grateful to receive the €1,000 RISE Community Fund Grant at Scoil Mhuire Lacken National School. This funding will support our digital strategy through the purchase of additional Chromebooks, helping to enhance learning opportunities for all pupils from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class.

“Improved access to digital devices will enable our students to engage more fully with digital learning tools, develop important technology skills, and enjoy richer classroom experiences. The investment will also support our teachers in delivering more engaging, technology-enhanced lessons and in tailoring learning to meet the needs of individual pupils.”

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 Lacken 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.

National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Cavan 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.