Ballinamere National School
Tullamore, Offaly
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 199 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 89 girls, 110 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15656M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballinamere National School is a co‑educational, Catholic‑ethos primary school serving the Ballinamere community. The school provides eight mainstream classes for children aged 4‑12 and a dedicated autism provision, the Esker Centre, which now comprises three specialist classrooms. This inclusive approach ensures that pupils of all abilities receive tailored support within a nurturing environment. The campus features modern teaching facilities, including a purpose‑built classroom block opened in 2005, a general‑purpose (G.P.) room, and specialised spaces for the autism centre. Outdoor areas are designed for both play and structured activities, supporting the school’s emphasis on holistic development. The school’s ethos promotes a warm, welcoming atmosphere where academic rigour is balanced with social and emotional wellbeing, encouraging students to become confident, caring members of the community.
History
The educational heritage of Ballinamere dates back to a 19th‑century hedge school taught by Darby Dunne. The first state‑run national school in the area was Ballycowan School, which closed in 1910, followed by Ballykilmurray School (closed 1966). Ballinamere National School was established on its present site in 1966 as a three‑teacher school, expanded in 1973 with an extra classroom and G.P. room, and grew to eight teachers by the late 1970s. Prefabricated classrooms served the school for 28 years. A new, purpose‑built school opened on 12 December 2005, initially housing eight mainstream classes and a two‑room autism centre (The Esker Centre). A third autism classroom was added in September 2013, and the school continues to evolve under successive leadership.
Applying to Ballinamere 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 Ballinamere 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 Ballinamere National School
How many pupils attend Ballinamere National School?
Ballinamere National School has 199 pupils enrolled, 89 girls and 110 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballinamere National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballinamere 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 Ballinamere National School?
Ballinamere National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.