Ballyconnell National School
Tullow, Carlow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 199 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 114 girls, 85 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 00977B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballyconnell National School (Scoil Naomh Muire Baile Uí Chonaill) is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the rural parish of Clonmore, on the Carlow/Wicklow border. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, the school delivers the national curriculum while preserving a strong Catholic ethos. It welcomes children from Junior Infants to Sixth class and provides specialised provision for pupils on the autism spectrum, operating two dedicated ASD classes (a preschool class and a class for children aged 4‑12). The inclusive philosophy is reinforced by a commitment to diversity, equality of access and respect for the varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds of its community. The school’s learning environment is designed to be safe, supportive and stimulating. Daily timetables run from 9:20 am to 2:00 pm for Junior and Senior Infants and to 3:00 pm for all other classes, with structured breaks for morning refreshment and lunch. Facilities support a broad range of activities, including indoor hurling and camogie, science projects, and community‑led events such as Christmas Jumper Day and participation in local parades. Strong parental involvement through a Parents’ Association and an active Board of Management underpins the school’s focus on developing each child’s full potential and preparing them for active citizenship.
Applying to Ballyconnell 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 Ballyconnell 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 Ballyconnell National School
How many pupils attend Ballyconnell National School?
Ballyconnell National School has 199 pupils enrolled, 114 girls and 85 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballyconnell National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballyconnell 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 Ballyconnell National School?
Ballyconnell National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.