Bennekerry National School
Carlow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 377 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 188 girls, 189 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17501Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Bennekerry National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school situated in Bennekerry, County Carlow. The school’s ethos centres on providing a well‑ordered, caring and happy environment where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils are identified and nurtured. Teaching is delivered through a balanced curriculum that integrates traditional academic subjects with a strong emphasis on personal development and community values. The school offers a wide range of extra‑curricular activities that support its holistic approach. These include participation in the Green Schools programme with a dedicated Gardening Club, a vibrant music programme, regular sport and physical education sessions, and a focus on well‑being through SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education). Partnerships with local organisations and an active after‑school programme further enrich the pupils’ experience, encouraging teamwork, creativity and a lifelong love of learning. Facilities are designed to support both classroom learning and the diverse activities on offer. While specific building details are not listed, the presence of specialised clubs and programmes suggests dedicated spaces for music, sport, gardening and collaborative projects, all contributing to a supportive and dynamic primary‑school setting.
Applying to Bennekerry 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Bennekerry 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 Bennekerry National School
How many pupils attend Bennekerry National School?
Bennekerry National School has 377 pupils enrolled, 188 girls and 189 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Bennekerry National School a DEIS school?
No. Bennekerry 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 Bennekerry National School?
Bennekerry National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.