Brannoxtown Community National School
Naas, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 83 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 42 girls, 41 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16817P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Brannoxtown Community National School opened as a Community National School in September 2018 under the patronage of the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board. Situated a short ten‑minute drive from Naas and five minutes from Kilcullen, the school serves the local community with a clear set of four values chosen by the children – Respect, Teamwork, Effort and Ambition. These values underpin a learning environment that aims to develop competence and confidence, encouraging pupils to flourish as both learners and individuals. The ethos places the school at the heart of the community, promotes high standards, celebrates diversity and fosters strong communication with parents and local organisations. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A listed 1885 school‑house, originally built from stone supplied by Portlester Castle, now houses a large classroom, offices, staff room and toilets. Complementing this, a state‑of‑the‑art new building opened in 2013 provides four spacious, technology‑rich classrooms, dedicated workspaces and storage, with two downstairs rooms currently used for Junior and Senior classes and an upstairs room serving as an indoor gym and recreation space for rainy‑day activities. Together these spaces support a holistic approach to education, addressing intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development.
History
The school’s origins date back to 1885 when John La Touche of Harristown Estate established a Baptist school on the site, using stone from Portlester Castle. The original building, part‑Norman castle and now a listed structure, has undergone several refurbishments, the latest in 2012. The school closed in 1904, becoming a private residence, before reopening as a Catholic school in 1929 under the leadership of Ms Duffy until 1972. In September 2018 the institution entered its third phase of development, becoming Brannoxtown Community National School under the patronage of the Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board, marking its transition from Baptist to Catholic to Community National School.
Applying to Brannoxtown Community 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
View Brannoxtown Community National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Brannoxtown Community National 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 Brannoxtown Community National School
How many pupils attend Brannoxtown Community National School?
Brannoxtown Community National School has 83 pupils enrolled, 42 girls and 41 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Brannoxtown Community National School a DEIS school?
No. Brannoxtown Community 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 Brannoxtown Community National School?
Brannoxtown Community National School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.