Children have been enjoying chess in the school since 2009. There are beginners chess classes for 4th class pupils once a week at lunch time for a block of 6-8 weeks from February to April each year.
There is also an after school chess club for children in 5th and 6th class who already know the basics of the game.
After school chess takes place once a week from November to April every year. Currently there are 35 girls and boys doing chess after school.
The school has been participating in a local Kildare chess league with other schools for the past three years. Last year two teams of eight players from Scoil Mhichíl Naofa participated in a one day chess blitz for South Kildare schools organised by Ficheall.
We are eagerly looking forward to the next Ficheall chess blitz which is scheduled to take place in Crookstown at the end of February