18 June 2025

Community Fund

RISE Community Fund awards cash grant to Glaslough school to empower adoption of new technologies

RISE grants in partnership with NBI are helping schools and community groups to capitalise on their recent connections to the high-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan

The Billis National School between Glaslough village and Monaghan Town has received a quick cash injection to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).

Established by NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE has awarded over 150 cash grants across the country to rural organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems. The fund is further supported by corporate sponsors including KN Circet, KPMG, Test Triangle, DreamDev Technologies, and TLI Group.

The latest funding comes off the back of a call for entries that NBI had announced as part of its national roadshow celebrating areas of the country that have shown the highest demands for its new high-speed fibre broadband network under the Government’s National Broadband Plan. Monaghan’s Broadband Officer, John McArdle, helped support the local grant applicants.

The Billis National School has received €1000 from the fund to invest in new technologies including computer equipment and projectors, seizing the opportunities to encourage digital skills since recently becoming connected to the new NBI network.

With over 12,000 homes, businesses and farms in county Monaghan now able to order or pre-order high-speed, reliable broadband on the new NBI network thanks to the Government’s National Broadband Plan, David McCourt, Chairman of NBI and founder of RISE, explained why he was keen to visit the area and give back to the community with these grants.

“We’re delighted to have had this opportunity to meet with The Billis National School and other community groups around Monaghan. Our hope is that we can give a financial boost to those who really want to capitalise on their new high-speed connectivity. We have consistently received an amazing number of entries from people looking to embrace new technologies to scale the impact of their work, which paints a bright future for rural communities.” said McCourt.

NBI recently announced that over 4,850 connections in County Monaghan have already been made to the NBI network. So far, take-up of NBI’s fibre broadband is highest in rural areas of the county near Emyvale where take-up has surpassed 55%.

Laura McAree, principal at The Billis National School, commented: “The RISE and NBI grants provide a fantastic opportunity for schools like ours to use connectivity and technology in new and exciting ways. As a small rural school we’re always looking for ways to give our children access to the best possible opportunities, and investing in new technologies is a great addition in that regard.”

NBI is reminding Monaghan residents to visit nbi.ie to check if they can already place an order with their chosen broadband provider. Alternatively, locals can sign up for Eircode specific updates on the rollout of the National Broadband Plan.

Photo caption: Pictured at the Billis National School, Monaghan are Sandra Dinan, Senior Manager Stakeholder Engagement & PR at NBI, students Keziah Condell, Emma Coulter, Sam Russell and Alfie Stewart with Laura McAree, Principal at Billis National School. Photo Rory Geary.

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