Ardfert Central National School
Ardfert, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 215 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 113 girls, 102 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19384C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ardfert Central National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Ardfert, North Kerry, serving a roll of 211 pupils. The school operates under a Catholic ethos, integrating religious instruction and daily prayer while fostering respect for children of all faiths and nationalities. A strong emphasis is placed on the holistic development of each child – academically, socially, spiritually and environmentally – with a supportive, safe and happy learning environment promoted by the principal and teaching staff. The school’s staffing structure includes an administrative principal, eight class teachers, three special educational needs (SEN) teachers and four special needs assistants (SNAs), enabling tailored support for diverse learners, including a dedicated ASD class introduced in 2025. Extra‑curricular provision features an after‑school club, participation in Green Schools and Global Citizenship programmes, and community‑linked projects such as the St Brendan mural initiative. Modern facilities accommodate these activities, and close collaboration with parents is encouraged to sustain high attendance and achievement standards.
History
Ardfert Central National School opened on 26 August 1974 following the amalgamation of the former Ardfert, Banna and Tubrid schools.
Applying to Ardfert Central 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 Ardfert Central 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 Ardfert Central National School
How many pupils attend Ardfert Central National School?
Ardfert Central National School has 215 pupils enrolled, 113 girls and 102 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ardfert Central National School a DEIS school?
No. Ardfert Central 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 Ardfert Central National School?
Ardfert Central National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.