The school started on the 1st September 1982 with two classes - Junior and Seniors Infants - in Tullyvarraga Hall where it was sited until 1987 when, following a long campaign, the new school building was completed in Smithstown on a 3.5 acre site. The school is an eight classroom building complete with G.P. room, office, remedial room and staff room. It is one of the most modern and comfortable national Schools in this area having an ideal location and structure.
St. Aidan's is a co-educational Catholic school catering for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, at present we have 280+ pupils, 13 full time teachers, one part time teacher and two Special Needs Assistants. Due to the rapid growth in housing in the Ballycasey area of Shannon, the school is full to capacity as the demand for places increases every year.
The Meaning Behind Our School Crest
Our crest is divided into four quadrants: the book, the horse shoe, the stag and the ruined castle. Each quadrant represents something that is significant to our school and our local area.The Book represents knowledge and learning which is central to St. Aidan's.The Horseshoe represents Smithstown, the townland on which our school is built. Smithstown was once home to a blacksmith who made many horseshoes during his time. We have a horseshoe above the door of our hall as a reminder of our areas heritage.The Castle ruin is Smithstown castle which still stands today. It harks back to a rich Norman tradition of castle building. Another example can be seen in our neighbouring parish of Bunratty.
Finally, the Stag represents our patron saint, Aidan. He was a kind and caring man. He cared about people, particularly the poor and animals. A legend is told of how St.Aidan, while out walking one day saw a stag that was being pursued by hunters. Wishing to spare the animals life, it is said that St.Aidan sheltered the animal until the hunters had passed. When it was safe to do so, St. Aidan released the stag and he rejoined his herd and sprinted back to the safety of the forest.