Ballon National School
Carlow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 239 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 123 girls, 116 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14837L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballon National School is a co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that balances literacy, numeracy and creative subjects, while promoting inclusive education through dedicated classes for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and autism. A strong emphasis is placed on pastoral care, health and wellbeing, with clear policies on child protection, data protection and medication administration guiding everyday practice. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A purpose‑built granite schoolhouse, originally opened in 1969, was expanded in May 2008 with a new extension comprising four contemporary classrooms, staff offices and a spacious assembly hall, officially opened by Bishop James Moriarty in 2009. The former 19th‑century school building now operates as an enterprise centre, linking the school to the local community. Extra‑curricular initiatives such as the Green Schools programme and active participation in the Active Schools Group further enrich the learning environment.
History
In 1809 Robert Marshall Esq. erected a stone‑ and lime‑built school on Ballon Hill, serving the parish. The first application to join the National School System was made on 3 July 1832 for a boys’ school, followed by a girls’ school on 1 April 1837. By 1852 the school was divided into separate male and female sections, a structure that persisted until a new co‑educational school was constructed in 1969. The original granite schoolhouse and teacher’s residence, now an enterprise centre, were vacated at that time. Grants from the old premises were transferred to the new St Peter’s & St Paul’s National School on 18 March 1969. A further extension, adding four classrooms, offices and an assembly hall, was completed in May 2008 and opened in February 2009.
Applying to Ballon 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 Ballon 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 Ballon National School
How many pupils attend Ballon National School?
Ballon National School has 239 pupils enrolled, 123 girls and 116 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballon National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballon 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 Ballon National School?
Ballon National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by Smirkybec. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 4.0.