to provide a happy secure learning environment where the uniqueness of each child is valued, encouraged and respected.
Welcome to our website. We have developed this website to give you an overview of some of our school facilities and the activities we pursue.
Aligned with our Mission Statement, we adopt an holistic approach to the education of our students where we seek to provide a happy, healthy and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of the pupils are identified and addressed.
Quignamanger (The Quay/ St. Oliver Plunkett) National School has an enrolment of 364 pupils with 15 mainstream classes. We provide an inclusive approach to education whereby each pupil is nurtured to reach their potential and, collectively, we strive for excellence. Our Board of Management, school staff, Parents Association and entire school community work together for the benefit of our students and this contributes to the creation of a positive environment for our children.
The school prides itself on sporting pursuits, participating in Cumann na mBunscol (Mayo Division 1A boys champions 2024 and finalists in 2025) and County finalists in INTO Mini 7s football 2024, cross-country athletics (Connaught Senior Boys Winners 2023; Junior Girls Winners 2024; Senior Girls Winners 2024), soccer (Kenny Cup Winners, Ballina, 2025), rugby, swimming. Boys from fifth and sixth classes competed in the Primary Schools Badminton championships for the first time with the team coming second in the Connaught championships and competing in the national championships in Baldoyle, Dublin.. We also pursue a wide range of initiatives like the Green Schools Flag (10th Green Flag awarded in 2025), Active School Flag (awarded 2024 and raised in 2025), Marathon Kids programme, Tri-Heroes, Health Promoting School, Food Dudes to name a few.
We have participated in the Credit Union Quiz competition for a number of years and have been successful at local, chapter and national levels (2025: National champions in the Senior category). In 2023, a project compiled by four sixth class pupils won a prize in the All-Island Decade of Centenaries History competition. We have also embraced digital learning and all third, fourth, fifth and sixth class pupils participated in the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge in November 2024
Our school is proud to uphold a rich and vibrant tradition in the arts, with music playing a central and cherished role in the life of our school community. For many years, our school choir has been a cornerstone of this tradition, participating in numerous events and proudly representing our school at both local and national levels. Our choir took part in the Peace Proms at the University of Limerick Sports Arena in March and in the National Children’s Choir programme which culminated in a wonderful performance at the regional concert held in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar in April. Five of our sixth class students represented our school in the national concert at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on May 10th—a tremendous honour and achievement.
Our school choir also continues to contribute greatly to the spiritual and community life of our school. They regularly perform at important school ceremonies such as First Communion and Confirmation, and are active participants in children’s choirs that sing at Mass in St. Patrick’s throughout the school year. We also benefit from the expertise of Music Generation Mayo, through the Ceilí Ukulele programme and the Ceol na Óg programme.
A walkway linking the Quay area of Ballina with the school was launched by Mayo County Council on the 19th of May. Blessed by Rev. Fr, Kieran Holmes and launched by Minister Dara Calleary with Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council John O'Hara and Deputy Chief Executive of Mayo County Council Catherine McConnell. All pupils, teachers, SNAs and member of the school community along with the invited guests all walked the route.
As an active school, awarded an Active School Flag in 2024, we think the video below illustrates clearly how active we are. This is Active School Week and culminated with our Fun Run on the pitch for all classes and activities encompassing all strands of the PE Curriculum. Every corner of our yards were used. Our Parents Association provided nutritious refreshments for everyone after they finished the fun run.
We were awarded the Active School Flag in June 2024 and plan to have a second launch event in September 2024. Active School Week culminating in our Fun Run was one of the many initiatives we undertook to promote physical activity
Blue Star Programme Certificate 2024
Through the Blue Star Programme, we were creative in how we learned about Europe!
The Blue Star Programme taught fifth and sixth class pupils about European cultures and the EU through creative activities and projects which complement the national primary curriculum.
The aim was simple: to foster a better understanding and knowledge of Europe and how it affects the lives of Irish citizens among Irish primary pupils in a curriculum-friendly manner.
We celebrated Europe Day and the culmination of the Blue Star Programme for fifth and sixth classes with a visit from the French Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Vincent Guerend, Minister Dara Calleary and Senator Lisa Chambers. All stressed the value the European Union has brought to us. Pupils from fifth and sixth classes also presented some findings and detailed the links Ireland, Mayo and Ballina have between France and the European Union
Tri Heroes 2025 featuring 5th and 6th classes
We are delighted to be a partner school with DCU Anti-Bullying Centre (ABC) delivering the FUSE Anti-Bullying & Online Safety Programme to our students.
In line with FUSE recommendations, we support the UNESCO Whole Education Approach in tackling Bullying and Online Safety in our school, which is led by our students and where their voices are valued and heard.
Together with the support of FUSE and active communication of our school Anti-Bullying Policy we are making a tangible difference in encouraging increased reporting resulting in decreased bullying.
Here are some of the key takeaways we learned on the FUSE Programme
How to spot the signs of bullying both online and offline – RECOGNISE
How to take personal responsibility safely – RESPOND
How to “break the silence” – REPORT
To find out more about FUSE, log onto www.antibullyingcentre.ie/fuse