In the 1830's the National System of Education was established and in 1836 the first school in the locality was established in Kilafin. The school suffered various problems, including famine, trying to keep it's doors open and finally closed in 1859. It was many years later, thanks to the huge efforts of Mrs Baggot, that a two roomed, two teacher school opened in 1876. Kilbeacanty National School, now known as the "Old School", remained in operation until 1955 when a newer school, Ballyturn National School, opened it's doors. It is in this building that St. Columba's National School resides, the amalgamation of Ballyturn N.S and Derrybrien N.S. in September 2016.
A copy of the book "Ballyturn N.S. 1955 - 2005, A School Reflects", is available for research purposes from the school. It contains a wealth of local historical information.
In 1845 the Commission of National Education changed the status of a school that had been established in the house of James Hurley to that of a National School. By 1884 it is noted that the school house was in very poor shape and in need of a lot of repairs. In 1889 Fr. P.J. Flanagan was the manager of the school and had procured a site for a new school. Records show that attendance numbers were good at the school with approximately 120 students. However, since then the numbers of students attending the school have been falling due to rural decline and depopulation. In September 2016 Derrybrien N.S. amalgamated with Ballyturn N.S. and now forms our school today, St. Columba's National School Ballyturn.
The book "Derrybrien Centenary 1895-1995" contains a wealth of local historical information.