Bishop Foley Memorial School
Carlow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 165 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17053P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Bishop Foley Memorial National School is a Catholic all‑boys primary school in Carlow that aims to nurture the full development of each pupil. The school’s mission stresses intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual growth, rooted in a living relationship with God and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. A strong emphasis is placed on religious education, moral formation and the promotion of Christian values, while also encouraging respect for differing views and beliefs within the wider community. The school provides a modern learning environment supported by high‑speed broadband connectivity delivered through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, part of the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan. A range of specialist learning zones, including Art and Music, Gaeilge, and History, Geography and Science, enhance the curriculum and offer pupils diverse opportunities to explore creative and academic interests. The school operates a structured timetable, with lessons beginning at 8.50 am, a midday lunch break, and dismissal at 2.30 pm, fostering a consistent and supportive routine for students. Community involvement is a core principle; the school actively encourages parental and local engagement, viewing itself as an integral service to the surrounding area. Comprehensive policies covering attendance, enrolment, health, safety and child protection underpin a safe and nurturing environment for all learners.
Applying to Bishop Foley Memorial 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
View Bishop Foley Memorial School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Bishop Foley Memorial School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Bishop Foley Memorial School
How many pupils attend Bishop Foley Memorial School?
Bishop Foley Memorial School has 165 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Bishop Foley Memorial School a DEIS school?
Yes. Bishop Foley Memorial 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 Bishop Foley Memorial School?
Bishop Foley Memorial School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.