Ballinakill Mixed National School
Portlaoise, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 98 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 42 girls, 56 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 00895W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballinakill Mixed National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the rural community of Ballinakill, County Laois. The school adopts a fully inclusive, child‑centred ethos that aims to nurture confident, resilient lifelong learners. Teaching is organised around a broad and balanced curriculum that encourages curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, while placing a strong emphasis on kindness, respect and trust within the school community. The learning environment is designed to be safe and welcoming, with dedicated staff working collaboratively to provide a holistic educational experience. Extracurricular provision includes a range of artistic and environmental projects such as painting, a greenhouse “Rocking the Greenhouse” initiative, biodiversity art, as well as cultural celebrations like World Book Day, Seachtain na Gaeilge and St Patrick’s Day. These activities complement classroom learning and support the development of social skills, environmental awareness and cultural appreciation. Facilities at Ballinakill N.S. support both academic and creative pursuits, with spaces for art, science and outdoor learning. The school’s commitment to an inclusive approach ensures that every child feels valued and respected, enabling them to reach their full potential in a supportive and nurturing setting.
Applying to Ballinakill 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Ballinakill 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 Ballinakill Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Ballinakill Mixed National School?
Ballinakill Mixed National School has 98 pupils enrolled, 42 girls and 56 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballinakill Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballinakill 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 Ballinakill Mixed National School?
Ballinakill Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.