Ballaghkeene National School
Enniscorthy, Wexford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 150 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 55 girls, 95 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14668O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballaghkeene National School is a rural, mixed, DEIS‑registered primary school serving the parish of Ballaghkeene in County Wexford. The school caters for approximately 140 pupils across six mainstream classrooms and a dedicated autism spectrum condition (ASC) class, Seomra Síolóige, which provides specialised support for up to six children. The curriculum is inclusive and bilingual, promoting the use of Gaeilge alongside English, and is underpinned by a commitment to holistic development through initiatives such as Green Schools, Active Schools, Wellbeing programmes and Hurling 365. The school benefits from extensive outdoor facilities, including a full‑size Cumann na mBunscoil playing pitch, a basketball court, a climbing wall and the purpose‑built outdoor classroom, Seomra Fiadh, used for story‑time, music, drama and other experiential learning activities. A strong community ethos is evident through a vibrant Parents’ Association, a range of childcare provisions (breakfast, homework and after‑school clubs) and close links with local organisations, ensuring that pupils receive a supportive and enriching environment both inside and outside the classroom.
History
Ballaghkeene National School opened its doors in September 1973. The first major expansion occurred in 1998 with the addition of a fifth mainstream classroom. Further extensions were completed in 2013, adding another classroom, a secretary’s office and a connecting corridor, and in 2017, which introduced two state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, a staff room and new toilet facilities. These developments have increased the school’s footprint and enhanced its facilities, including the full‑size Cumann na mBunscoil pitch. The school’s vision, established at its founding, remains to provide the best possible educational and learning experience for its pupils.
Applying to Ballaghkeene 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 Ballaghkeene 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 Ballaghkeene National School
How many pupils attend Ballaghkeene National School?
Ballaghkeene National School has 150 pupils enrolled, 55 girls and 95 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballaghkeene National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Ballaghkeene National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Ballaghkeene National School?
Ballaghkeene National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.