Butlerstown National School
Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 242 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 107 girls, 135 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14679T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire Butlerstown National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the parish of Butlerstown on the outskirts of Waterford City. While the school operates within a Catholic ethos, it welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive community where staff, pupils and parents work together in a spirit of cooperation and trust. The school places a strong emphasis on the education of the whole child, promoting self‑esteem, respect, honesty and courtesy alongside academic achievement. The school provides a broad range of curricular and extra‑curricular opportunities. Pupils can take part in Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, athletics, dancing, swimming, equestrian activities and even surfing, as well as drama, music, choir, debating and various lunchtime clubs such as Lego, chess and drama. A newly established Students’ Council encourages democratic participation, and the school is part of a Creative Cluster for fabric and fibre art. Recent investment through the EU‑funded NextGeneration EU programme has upgraded the digital infrastructure, supplying iPads, Lenovo tablets, Chromebooks and licences for platforms such as Seesaw and Zoom, enabling blended learning and enhanced digital literacy. The school environment includes well‑maintained raised‑bed gardens tended by pupils, a spacious playground with modern markings and equipment, and a dedicated caretaker who looks after the grounds. The school is an AMBER FLAG designated institution with a focus on wellbeing and Gaeilge Neamhfhoirmiúl, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding and the promotion of the Irish language.
History
The original Butlerstown school was founded in 1889. A new school building was opened in 1981, and the former premises now serve as a community centre renamed in honour of Fr Rufus Halley, a former parishioner who was martyred in the Philippines. The school continues to build on this long‑standing tradition while expanding its facilities and programmes.
Applying to Butlerstown 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 Butlerstown 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 Butlerstown National School
How many pupils attend Butlerstown National School?
Butlerstown National School has 242 pupils enrolled, 107 girls and 135 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Butlerstown National School a DEIS school?
No. Butlerstown 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 Butlerstown National School?
Butlerstown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.