Holy Cross National School, Firoda

Holy Cross Mixed N.S.,(Scoil na Croiche Naofa) known as Firoda N.S .. was built in 1962 in the townland of Skehana (a bushy place - sceach) which is situated close to the Laois border between Castlecomer and Ballinakill. The school is known as Firoda School as it replaced the original school which was in the townland of Firoda even though just two fields away from the present building. .

The name 'Firoda' or' Pheroda' (Fíor o Duach or Fioghar o Duach) comes from "The Barony of Ui Duach" (dough) which was the original nucleus of Ossory and eventually diminished to become the civil parish of Castlecomer.

In 1989 a major redevelopment of Firoda N.S.. was commenced with the construction of a fine sports hall, redevelopment and expansion of the playing field, provision of new play areas and ball court, replacement of all windows and doors complete with new plumbing and electrics.In 1997 a new storage shed was constructed and safety netting was erected around the ball court and behind the goal posts. All this was made possible through the trojan efforts of Parents, Teachers, the Board of Management and especially through the generosity of neighbours Alice and Mick Kennedy who donated the ground to make this project possible.