Ballyhaise National School
Ballyhaise, Cavan
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 152 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 74 girls, 78 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17780A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mary’s National School, Ballyhaise, is a rural, mixed‑gender primary school serving children from middle‑class families in the surrounding community. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Kilmore, the school operates as a Roman Catholic‑ethos institution while actively promoting tolerance, pluralism and respect for all religious beliefs. The curriculum is delivered in line with the Department of Education and Science guidelines, with a strong emphasis on developing each child’s unique potential, social skills and lifelong learning habits. The school’s facilities include six purpose‑built classrooms, a multipurpose hall for assemblies and indoor activities, and an upstairs staff room. Recent investment through the NextGeneration EU‑funded School Broadband Programme has provided high‑speed internet connectivity for enhanced digital learning. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, offering Gaelic games, swimming, gymnastics, and movement‑to‑music sessions, alongside a robust Healthy Eating Policy and a Green Flag‑awarded environmental programme that encourages recycling, composting and the use of reusable water bottles. Uniform is worn daily except on Tuesdays, which are dedicated to physical education, reinforcing the school’s commitment to health, discipline and community spirit.
Applying to Ballyhaise 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 Ballyhaise 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 Ballyhaise National School
How many pupils attend Ballyhaise National School?
Ballyhaise National School has 152 pupils enrolled, 74 girls and 78 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballyhaise National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballyhaise 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 Ballyhaise National School?
Ballyhaise National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.