Bhride National School
Bilboa, Laois
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 13 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 6 girls, 7 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18265M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Bhríde, Ardough is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in the picturesque village of Bilboa, County Laois, close to the borders of Carlow and Kilkenny. With a low pupil‑teacher ratio, the school prioritises the holistic development of each child, nurturing social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical growth through the national curriculum and a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities. The school’s setting overlooks a large forest, a river and the Gortahile windfarm, providing a tranquil backdrop for learning. The school boasts modern facilities including a recreation hall, library, two classrooms and a spacious play area equipped with a basketball court and football pitch. Classrooms are fitted with interactive whiteboards, computers and science equipment, while every pupil has an individual tablet for classroom use. Musical provision is strong, with each child receiving a violin and tin whistle, and a wide range of PE, drama and art resources support a vibrant, activity‑rich environment.
History
The school was built in 1958.
Applying to Bhride 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 Bhride 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 Bhride National School
How many pupils attend Bhride National School?
Bhride National School has 13 pupils enrolled, 6 girls and 7 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Bhride National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Bhride 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 Bhride National School?
Bhride National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.