Ballyguiltenane National School
Glin, Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 20 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 8 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11307N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballyguiltenane National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that aims to create a nurturing learning environment where every child is encouraged and enabled to develop their full and unique potential as human beings. The school’s ethos stresses a well‑ordered, caring, happy and secure atmosphere that meets the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils. While rooted in a Catholic tradition, the school recognises and respects other religious beliefs, promoting an inclusive community that values gender equality and the development of the Irish language as a medium of interaction. The school provides a range of facilities that support both academic and extracurricular activities. Modernised classrooms sit alongside a purpose‑built staff room, upgraded water supply and filtration systems, and new internal wall linings. Outdoor amenities include a well‑maintained games pitch, a basketball court, a resurfaced playground and a car park for staff and parents. Recent improvements such as new toilets, roof insulation and a reliable water well demonstrate the school’s commitment to providing a safe, comfortable and contemporary environment for its pupils. Strong parental involvement is encouraged through regular information evenings, parent‑teacher meetings and an active Parents Association. The school also prioritises the professional and personal development of its staff through ongoing development programmes, ensuring that teaching practices remain current and effective.
History
Ballyguiltenane National School was constructed between 1874 and 1876, initially comprising two classrooms; a further two classrooms were added eight years later. The original building was erected by contractor James O Driscoll with builders Dan and Tom Culhane, Glin, and Milke Higgins of Rathkeale, and the furniture was locally made. Early fees were one penny per week and the curriculum included English, reading, writing, maths, sewing, knitting, religion, gardening, history, geography and domestic science, with a strong emphasis on English literature such as Shakespeare, Tennyson, Wordsworth and Southey. By the early 1900s Irish and mathematics classes were offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Throughout the 20th century the school evolved: holidays were formalised in 1926, a television was installed by Canon Michael Ryan for community use, and mass and stations were celebrated on site until 1977. The 1970s saw the addition of toilets and a staff room, followed by further staff facilities in the 1980s. A field was purchased and developed as a games pitch in 1992, and a car park was built in 1996. Major upgrades from 2002 to 2010 included a new water well, concrete flooring, water filtration, internal dry‑lining, roof and attic insulation, new toilets, a playground extension with a basketball court, and full resurfacing of the school yard.
Applying to Ballyguiltenane 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 Ballyguiltenane 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 Ballyguiltenane National School
How many pupils attend Ballyguiltenane National School?
Ballyguiltenane National School has 20 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 8 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballyguiltenane National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballyguiltenane 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 Ballyguiltenane National School?
Ballyguiltenane National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.