Borris Vocational School is located in the historic and picturesque town of Borris in South Carlow, Ireland. The school has a long and proud tradition of providing an excellent education service to the people of Borris and the surrounding area. Today it is a modern 21st century establishment meeting the educational needs for over 500 second level students from the town of Borris and from the wide hinterland of the River Barrow Valley.
The town of Borris which has a population of around 1,100 is located at the foot of Carlow’s iconic mountain, Mount Leinster. It has one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland. Borris is the location of the ancestral home of McMorrough Kavanaghs, High Kings of Leinster. The Kavanagh family who still live in Borris House can trace their family history right back to the 12th century. Diarmuid McMorrough Kavanagh invited the Normans to Ireland in 1169 to help him regain the Kingdom of Leinster from Rory O Connor the High King of Ireland. The Borris House of today dates from the 15th century.
The Vocational School in Borris has its origins the Technical Instruction Act of 1899 which established the Vocational Education system, as we know it today, on a formal basis. Under the Act a ‘Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction’ was established in Carlow. It provided classes in Agriculture Science and Technical Instruction in various locations in Carlow town and county, including Borris.
Under the Vocational Education Act of 1930 the education service in Carlow was expanded and permanent schools were established in various towns in County Carlow. Borris Vocational school was established in 1939. It was staffed by a Principal and three teachers. The school had three classrooms and an initial enrolment of 25 students. During the following 75 years it has grown to be the modern successful school it is today which educates students who work in Ireland and abroad in every capacity imaginable.
Borris Vocational School in Co Carlow, was officially opened in the year 1939 On This Day.
Borris Vocational School