Caherleaheen National School
TRAIGHLI, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 168 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 80 girls, 88 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16917T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Caherleaheen National School is a Roman Catholic primary school that embraces a child‑centred ethos, promoting the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and cultural development of every pupil. The school provides a caring, inclusive environment where individual uniqueness is respected and pupils with special or additional needs are fully integrated into the learning programme. Educational provision is structured to support personal success, with a curriculum that balances academic learning, religious education and extracurricular activities, including after‑school clubs and a hot‑meal lunch service. The modern facilities, completed in 1998, include well‑equipped classrooms for Junior Infants through 6th class, specialist spaces for art, music and physical education, and secure playground areas. The school operates a clear daily timetable, with assemblies, structured lesson periods and designated times for breaks and meals. Strong communication between staff and families is encouraged, and the school’s policies on behaviour, safety, medication and digital use are readily accessible to support a safe and supportive learning community.
History
The school originated in 1862, with the earliest roll books dating from 1876. Initially two separate institutions, Ballyseede Boys and Girls primary schools, were housed in a building at Liosardbuala. Early principals included James Hayes (boys) and Mrs Hayes, later succeeded by Miss Minnie Hayes. In the early 20th century the school moved to a site in Poulamhadra, and in 1929 the boys’ and girls’ schools were amalgamated under parish control. A new three‑roomed building was erected in 1933 on the present Caherleaheen site, constructed from hand‑cut red sandstone quarried in Foleys’ Glen. The historic premises featured separate facilities for boys and girls and required families to contribute turf or coal for heating. Successive principals guided the school through the mid‑20th century, and the current, substantially expanded facility was completed in 1998, offering a far‑removed experience from the original modest premises.
Applying to Caherleaheen 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 Caherleaheen 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 Caherleaheen 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 Caherleaheen National School
How many pupils attend Caherleaheen National School?
Caherleaheen National School has 168 pupils enrolled, 80 girls and 88 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Caherleaheen National School a DEIS school?
No. Caherleaheen 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 Caherleaheen National School?
Caherleaheen National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by Raymond Norris. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.