Ardkeenan National School
Athlone, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 77 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 38 girls, 39 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17054R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ardkeenan National School is a mainstream co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Elphin, situated in the picturesque parish of Drum, just a five‑minute drive from Athlone town in County Roscommon. The school welcomes boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and currently educates around 85 pupils. Its ethos centres on providing high‑quality learning experiences that encourage each child to reach their full and unique potential, fostering a positive, tight‑knit community that supports effective learning and personal development. The school benefits from a range of facilities that have been expanded over the years, with major extensions added in 1995, 2017 and 2021, including a large new classroom and a linking corridor. A dedicated team of six teachers (four mainstream and two special‑educational) together with a part‑time special needs assistant deliver a supportive curriculum. Extra‑curricular provision includes a Before‑School Club from 8 am and an After‑School Club operating 2 pm‑6 pm, Monday to Friday, providing additional enrichment and care for families.
History
Ardkeenan National School has occupied its present site since 1935. Originally a modest rural school, it has grown to a six‑teacher institution (four mainstream class teachers, two special‑educational teachers) with a part‑time special needs assistant. The school was extended in 1995, again in 2017, and most recently in 2021 when a large classroom and link corridor were added. Set in idyllic surroundings, it lies only five miles from the centre of Athlone and is served by Bus Éireann and Willie Moores bus companies.
Applying to Ardkeenan 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 Ardkeenan 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 Ardkeenan National School
How many pupils attend Ardkeenan National School?
Ardkeenan National School has 77 pupils enrolled, 38 girls and 39 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ardkeenan National School a DEIS school?
No. Ardkeenan 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 Ardkeenan National School?
Ardkeenan National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.