Ballybay Central
Athlone, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 224 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 120 girls, 104 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19534S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballybay Central National School is a Catholic primary school operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Elphin and within the framework of the Irish Department of Education & Skills. Situated in the low‑lying countryside of southern Roscommon, close to Lough Ree and the River Shannon, the school provides a welcoming environment for pupils from the local community and beyond. Its ethos combines a strong Catholic foundation with a commitment to inclusive, child‑centred learning, encouraging academic achievement, personal development and active participation in community life. The school offers a range of facilities to support diverse learning needs, including dedicated special‑education resources such as a specialised autism class, a SET (Special Education Teaching) team and several Special Needs Assistants. Modern classrooms are complemented by historic elements dating back to the original 1830s building, reflecting the school’s long heritage. A proactive Board of Management and an active Parents’ Association work together to ensure high standards of governance, parental involvement and the continual enhancement of the school’s educational provision.
History
The origins of Ballybay Central trace back to the penal era when Catholic education was prohibited. After the repeal of the Penal Laws in 1782, local efforts led to the establishment of a national school. In 1832, Fr Terence O’Neill secured permission to build a school, which was completed by March 1836, uniting male and female sections in a two‑room building. Early administration involved Presentation nuns, with Sister Mary Claire Xavier Grace and Sister Mary Angela Lynch playing key roles in the school’s foundation. By the late 1830s the school was staffed by a mix of clergy and lay teachers, serving a sizeable pupil body of around 300 children. The institution has evolved continuously since its 19th‑century beginnings, maintaining its Catholic ethos while adapting to modern educational standards.
Applying to Ballybay Central
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
View Ballybay Central's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Ballybay Central. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Ballybay Central
How many pupils attend Ballybay Central?
Ballybay Central has 224 pupils enrolled, 120 girls and 104 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballybay Central a DEIS school?
No. Ballybay Central 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 Ballybay Central?
Ballybay Central has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.