Waterford school benefits from RISE community fund
Pictured at Scoil Mhuire Butlerstown, Co. Waterford, from left to right, are Craig McNamara, DreamDev; Sandra Dinan, National Broadband Ireland (NBI); Diana O'Neill, School Secretary; Daragh O'Mahony, NBI; Maria O'Connor, Principal; Cllr Declan Barry, representing the Mayor of Waterford; Michael Kelleher, Learning Support Teacher; Ciara Malone, Work Experience Student, NBI; Rachel Kiely, Waterford City and County Council; Jerry O'Sullivan, Entegro; and students of Scoil Mhuire Butlerstown.
The RISE Community Fund has awarded a cash grant to Scoil Mhuire, in Butlerstown in Waterford 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 Butlerstown is a rural primary school located in the parish of Butlerstown on the outskirts of Waterford City. The grant will enable the school to move forward with a number of technology investments that are planned to significantly enhance teaching, learning and digital skills development across the school.
Maria O’Connor, Principal at the school said: "Receiving this grant is a wonderful support for Scoil Mhuire Butlerstown and our students. This funding will allow us to introduce robotics technologies such as Bee-Bots and other digital learning tools that are currently beyond our budget."
"It will also support our ambition to further develop STEM opportunities, including establishing a STEM club and promoting the safe, creative and meaningful use of technology across the school," she said.
"We are committed to preparing our pupils with the confidence, skills and curiosity they will need for the future.”
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, Mr McCourt, who is also Chairman of National Broadband Ireland, 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 Butlerstown 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," he said.
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.
Further information about the RISE Community Fund is available at www.riseglobalfoundation.com.
