Ballinlig National School
SLIGEACH, Sligo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 29 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 14 girls, 15 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17599N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballinlig National School is a co‑educational primary school serving the Ballinlig community in County Sligo. The school follows the Irish national curriculum while placing a strong emphasis on experiential learning, integrating regular STEM sessions, coding with LEGO WEDO 2.0 kits, and creative arts such as drama productions and ukulele lessons. Weekly updates highlight a vibrant programme that includes nature walks, myth‑telling, music, and a robust sports offering ranging from athletics and handball to soccer and obstacle courses, fostering a well‑rounded development for pupils from junior to senior infant levels. The school operates a structured daily routine designed to support both academic progress and wellbeing. Classrooms are organised into “class bubbles” to limit cross‑group interaction, and the timetable includes additional break periods to ensure safe social distancing. Facilities include dedicated junior and senior rooms with separate entry points, outdoor play areas, and access to local cultural sites such as Westport House for educational trips. Health and safety are prioritised through a detailed COVID‑19 response plan, regular hand‑washing, and supervised yard times, creating a secure environment for learning and play. Community involvement is a cornerstone of school life, with events such as Family Day, a Green Flag environmental programme, and visits from local services like the Sligo Fire Brigade and Seat‑Belt Sheriff. These activities reinforce civic responsibility and encourage pupils to engage with broader societal issues, while the school’s blog provides transparent communication with parents and the wider community.
Applying to Ballinlig 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 Ballinlig 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 Ballinlig National School
How many pupils attend Ballinlig National School?
Ballinlig National School has 29 pupils enrolled, 14 girls and 15 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballinlig National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballinlig 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 Ballinlig National School?
Ballinlig National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.