Kildare Education Centre - Ionad Oideachas Cill Dara

History

Kildare Education Centre grew out of the motivation and interest of local teachers who fromed a study group to assist them in their work.  In September 1997, it was established as a fulltime Centre with the appointment of a fulltime Director. It came as a “proud beacon of light” to the town and the local community.

“Flame of Learning.”

In a seventh century manuscript, Kildare is referred to as “a vast metropolitan city.” It was then a city of learning, a city of pilgrimage, a city of peace. A flame of learning burned in Kildare for over fifteen hundred years. It was tended by St Brigid, and over the centuries by her nuns, until it was extinguished at the time of the reformation.

The flame was symbolically relit in 1993 and burns in the home of the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare Town. The flame of learning was brought to the opening of our new Education Centre to re-connect with the ancient history of Kildare as a Centre of Learning. Kildare Education Centre is keeping alive the “Flame of Learning.”

Oak Tree  - a symbol of strength rooted in the earth, bearing fruit (acorns), to parallel the rootedness of the Education Centre in the field of learning. The fruits of the Education centre are the enriched teachers who impact positively on their students and thereby enhance the greater community.

Vision

Ionad Oideachais Chill Dara is the culmination of a process initiated by teachers on March 11th 1993. Since September 1997 it has functioned as a Full Time Centre.

The Education Centre Kildare is located in the former Parochial house in Kildare Town and serves school communities in Co. Kildare, West Wicklow and East Offaly.

The Centre is pleased to play a pivotal role in the delivery of In-Service education at both Primary and Post Primary level.

Given the geographical location of the Centre, it is not surprising that it has a special affinity with history, heritage and the environment.

The Education Centre is not just a building. It is also a concept which promotes a culture of collaboration, co-operation and on-going professional development. 

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