Camross National School
PORTLAOISE, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 156 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 73 girls, 83 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15933M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Camross National School is a vibrant primary school nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the picturesque village of Camross, County Laois. Serving as a focal point for the local community, the school provides a welcoming environment where children from the surrounding rural area can thrive academically and socially. The curriculum is delivered in small, mixed‑age classes that promote personalised learning, with dedicated Learning Support rooms to cater for a range of educational needs and ensure inclusive practice. The school’s facilities include five mainstream classrooms, two specialist Learning Support rooms, a staff room, an office and a modest library, all of which are attached to the local Parish Hall and the newer Community Hall. These spaces enable a broad programme of extracurricular activities, from sports and arts to digital learning, and support the school’s emphasis on community involvement, wellbeing and the development of confident, curious learners.
History
The first National School in Camross was erected beside St Kevin’s Church in the mid‑19th century; the original building now serves as the GAA Hall after a 1980s renovation. The present school opened on 21 November 1909 on its current site, initially comprising two 20 ft × 20 ft classrooms with separate cloakrooms and external toilets, accommodating 74 pupils. By the 1940s enrolment exceeded 100, and in the 1960s the school merged with Clonin, prompting a rebuild. While the new building was under construction in 1965, lessons were held in the hall; the new premises opened in 1966 under Principal Maurice Healy. Prefabricated accommodation was used for younger children until the early 1990s when a permanent room was added. Subsequent development phases have expanded the school, attaching it to a modern Community Hall, and as of 16 March 2021 the campus comprises five mainstream classrooms, two Learning Support rooms, a staff room, an office and a small library, serving 136 pupils.
Applying to Camross 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 Camross 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 Camross National School
How many pupils attend Camross National School?
Camross National School has 156 pupils enrolled, 73 girls and 83 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Camross National School a DEIS school?
No. Camross 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 Camross National School?
Camross National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.