Burnchurch National School
CUFFESGRANGE KILKENNY, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 44 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 18 girls, 26 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17675D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Burnchurch National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school set in a picturesque rural location just kilometres from the south‑side of Kilkenny City, beside the historic Burnchurch Castle. The school prides itself on small class sizes and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere where individual differences are celebrated. Its educational ethos combines a strong academic programme with a holistic approach to development, encouraging pupils to reach their full potential through both classroom learning and a wide range of extra‑curricular activities such as hurling, camogie, debating, soccer, coding, singing and dance. The school’s colours, black and amber, feature prominently in its identity. The campus boasts a variety of modern facilities that support both sport and sensory learning, including an Astro‑turf pitch, an agility trail, a sensory garden, a basketball court, a climbing wall and a well‑maintained grass lawn. Daily routines start at 9.20 am, finishing at 2 pm for infants and 3 pm for older classes, with a convenient 2‑3 club offering a single collection point for families with children in different year groups. An efficient e‑payment system handles school fees, and the school does not request any voluntary contribution. A vibrant Parents Association organises fund‑raising events such as summer soirées, Christmas tea‑towel sales and a “Monster Christmas Raffle”, which have funded many of the school’s resources, including interactive whiteboards in every classroom.
Applying to Burnchurch 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 Burnchurch 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 Burnchurch National School
How many pupils attend Burnchurch National School?
Burnchurch National School has 44 pupils enrolled, 18 girls and 26 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Burnchurch National School a DEIS school?
No. Burnchurch 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 Burnchurch National School?
Burnchurch National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.