Abbeyleix Sth National School
Abbeyleix, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 84 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 40 girls, 44 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14260F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Abbeyleix South National School is a co‑educational primary school serving a community of roughly 106 pupils. The school operates under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cashel and Ossory and embraces an ethos that values caring, belonging and the holistic development of each child. A teaching principal leads a team of classroom teachers, a dedicated special education team and special needs assistants, ensuring that both mainstream and additional learning needs are met within a supportive environment. The school moved in September 2011 to a bright, modern, state‑of‑the‑art facility comprising four well‑equipped classrooms. Its location adjacent to a woodland area provides unique opportunities for outdoor learning, fostering a love of nature and environmental awareness. Wellbeing is a core focus, with programmes designed to promote positive mental health, resilience and a happy, safe atmosphere for all pupils. The school day runs from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, with structured breaks, lunch and supervised dismissal procedures that prioritise safety and community.
History
Abbeyleix South National School opened its doors in 1843 as one of the town’s landmark buildings. After 168 years, the school relocated on 1 September 2011 to a new, modern four‑classroom building set near a woodland, enhancing its capacity to deliver contemporary education while retaining its historic roots.
Applying to Abbeyleix Sth National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Abbeyleix Sth National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Abbeyleix Sth National School
How many pupils attend Abbeyleix Sth National School?
Abbeyleix Sth National School has 84 pupils enrolled, 40 girls and 44 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Abbeyleix Sth National School a DEIS school?
No. Abbeyleix Sth National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Abbeyleix Sth National School?
Abbeyleix Sth National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.