Western Care Association was established in 1966 and from that grew the plan to open the first special school in Mayo. In November 1967 the original founding committee Michael Joe Egan (also the first Chairperson of the school Board of Management), Johnny Mee and Tom Fallon garnered support and funding through hard lobbying and started humbly in a community centre on Chapel Street for 6 months. In 1968 St Anthony opened on The Lawn in Castlebar in a prefab on a site donated by the Sisters of Mercy. It was the first school of its kind in Mayo and just one of a small number in the West of Ireland at the time. The first principal was Michael Flanagan, who was later appointed school inspector and was replaced by Hilda Clinton (Kavanagh) in 1974.

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The school pupils arrived by bus from various areas organised by Bus Eireann. From the 3 teachers Michael Flanagan, Margaret Breslin and Hilda Kavanagh more staff was employed during the 70’s and 80’s. Sister Mary Johnson with her musical expertise and Judy Clarke with her artistic flare. School lunches soon became a daily feature. Support staff was employed through the patron Western Care and new therapists to liaise between homes and school. More syndromes and conditions were diagnosed and St Brid’s special school opened up in Castlebar 1971.

 

St Anthony’s had more enrolments with pupils from 5-18 and a junior and senior section of the school was developed. The school pupils were supported by a school nurse, first nurse Jane then nurse Nora and further on nurse Emer Walsh, who were lifesavers in cases of seizures and medical emergencies. Teachers Pat Rutledge and Carmel Fanning brought a high educational standard but have since left the school.  Teachers Roisin O’Flaherty, Fiona Byrnes and Anna Sweeney were hired and SNA’s Karen McGuire and AnnMarie McGuire came onboard in the junior classes and are still working in the school today. Hilda was principal until 2003 when after 37 years in a prefab and many years of campaigning we finally got the green light for our new school.

In 2004 we moved to the new site at Humbert Way in a modern substantial building and Fiona Byrnes took over as Principal.
The building is expanding continuously from 5 classrooms in 2004 to 9 classrooms and class teachers in 2024. For school year 2024-2025 we have 9 class teachers, 5 part-time post-primary subject teachers, 20 SNA's, 23 bus escorts, 1 nurse, caretaker, chef, kitchen assistant and cleaner. We have come far since the humble beginnings in the Community center in 1967.