Ballycanew National School
Gorey, Wexford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 224 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 98 girls, 126 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15420G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballycanew National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds. The school provides a well‑ordered, caring and secure atmosphere where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils are identified and nurtured. Its educational approach balances a strong academic curriculum with a focus on personal development, encouraging respect, equality and self‑reliance in every learner. The campus blends tradition with modern facilities. Recent extensions have added specialist spaces for children with autism, including three dedicated classes, a sensory room and an Occupational Therapy room, as well as a library and a well‑equipped learning support area. The grounds, spread over approximately two acres, are landscaped in an eco‑friendly manner and feature a school garden tended by pupils, promoting hands‑on learning and environmental awareness. State‑of‑the‑art classrooms, central heating, full sanitation and a versatile sports area that accommodates tennis and basketball further enhance the learning environment. Strong community involvement underpins school life; the building is used for meetings and extracurricular activities, fostering close ties between families, staff and the wider parish. This collaborative spirit, together with the school’s modern amenities, creates a vibrant setting where young minds can thrive and prepare for lifelong success.
History
The original schoolhouse, built in 1901, closed in 1969 and was later converted into the parish hall. In September 1969 a new, modern school opened on land donated by local farmer Michael O’Brien, featuring central heating, full sanitation and a tennis court. The opening was officiated by Chief Inspector Donal O’Hullacháin and blessed by Bishop Donal J. Herlihy. Subsequent expansions include a two‑classroom and assembly extension in 1981, a prefab classroom in 2003, a learning‑support portacabin and staff‑room conversion in 2004, a two‑classroom extension and comprehensive refurbishment in 2011, and a further 2014 extension housing autism classes, a library, sensory and occupational therapy rooms. The school is situated at the entrance to Ballycanew village on the R479, about 8 km from Gorey, and serves a diverse community of farming and commercial families.
Applying to Ballycanew 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
View Ballycanew National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Ballycanew National School. 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 Ballycanew National School
How many pupils attend Ballycanew National School?
Ballycanew National School has 224 pupils enrolled, 98 girls and 126 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballycanew National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Ballycanew National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Ballycanew National School?
Ballycanew National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.