School on Mayo border enlists Downton star to attract new pupils

A primary school located on the border between Mayo and Galway has enlisted the help of a Downton Abbey star to try and boost numbers of students enrolling.

Scoil Naomh Pádraig, located in Clonbur, has seen a dwindling in student numbers. At one stage, only four students remained in the classrooms.

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Now, with ten pupils in the school, they will need two more to ensure that they will still have two teachers for the 2025-26 academic year.

The school is now offering €2,000 in bursaries to three families wishing to enrol their child in the school’s Junior Infants class before September.

One notable face who is rowing in behind the efforts of the rural primary school is that of Rob Collier, who has close connections to the area. 

Rob is renowned in the television industry for his roles as Thomas Barrow in hit TV show ‘Downton Abbey’, as well as Liam Connor in the long-running soap opera ‘Coronation Street’.

One of the committee members of the school, Ruaidhrí Keaveney, hopes that the actor’s support can help spur others to educate their children in the school.

“We just need another two to keep the teacher for this year and then next year, hopefully get another four or five in the class,” he stated.

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“I think it's a very good school with an excellent pupil-to-teacher ratio; it has a lot to offer, and it would be a pity to see it lose a teacher. I think it’s going to bounce back in the next year or two.”

Those who are interested are advised to visit the ‘Scoil Naomh Pádraig - Bursary’ page on Facebook by clicking here.