It was a special day in the small parish of Manister when the Minister of Education Mr Batt O'Keefe opened the new extension to Manister National School. This happened on Friday 12th September 2008. The first school to be built in Manister was built at Ballymartin in the late 19th century. This school served the community well but it become outdated like all other schools built around this time. The Miss Lynchs were the teachers who taught the children in the old Ballymartin school. The new school was built some years ago and it was one of the last two teacher schools to be built during that period. Manister school has grown in numbers over the past ten years and is now regarded as one of the great schools in the Limerick region. Fr Gary Bluett P.P Manister, welcomed the Minister of Education to the parish of Manister. The Education Minister Mr. O'Keefe on his address spoke of the great work in education that Manister has provided and was delighted to be in Manister to officially cut the tape in this new school complex. The Minister complemented Tom Collins, local builder, who constructed the new extension to the school and who also built the main building some years ago. Tribute was also paid to the principle of the school, Mrs Anne Murphy and all the teachers and staff. The local deputies representing West Limerick also were in attendance and former government minister Michael Noonan was also present. He was complimented in initiating the first plans for a new school in Manister.
Following the official opening the invited quests, teachers, pupils and parishioners were invited for tea and refreshments in the beautiful community centre at Manister. At this gather the Minister spoke to the large gathering marking this as a special day in the history of Manister.