Ballinabranna Mixed National School
Carlow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 184 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 80 girls, 104 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17756D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballinabranna National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Ballinabranna, near Milford in County Carlow, within the parish of Leighlin. Under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, the school delivers a holistic curriculum that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, moral, cultural, physical and social development of its 184 pupils. The ethos is rooted in Christian values while respecting the diversity of all faiths, and the school places a strong emphasis on partnership with families and the wider community. The school offers a broad range of extra‑curricular activities, including Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, soccer (FAI 5‑a‑side), music, modern dance, creative arts and a credit‑union programme. Dedicated resources support inclusive education, with a special class for pupils with autism and additional special‑education needs provision. Core values of respect, empathy and resilience underpin daily life, encouraging children to think independently, communicate confidently and contribute positively to the school community.
Applying to Ballinabranna Mixed 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 Ballinabranna Mixed 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 Ballinabranna Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Ballinabranna Mixed National School?
Ballinabranna Mixed National School has 184 pupils enrolled, 80 girls and 104 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballinabranna Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballinabranna Mixed 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 Ballinabranna Mixed National School?
Ballinabranna Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.