Carnaun National School
Athenry, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 89 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 44 girls, 45 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14031N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Carnaun National School is a vibrant co‑educational primary school serving the Carnaun community, offering a full curriculum from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive, child‑centred learning and actively incorporates digital tools to support progress tracking, with the forthcoming Aladdin Connect app set to provide secure online access to reports, communications and e‑payments for parents. A collaborative ethos is fostered through a lively Parents’ Association and a proactive Board of Management that oversee school development and community engagement. The school’s daily routine includes a ten‑minute Friday assembly that celebrates achievements, promotes themes such as friendship, handwriting, Gaeilge and healthy eating, and encourages a sense of belonging. Attendance is closely monitored with incentives for improvement, while a voluntary Euro Fund helps finance extra resources, field trips and artistic supplies. Health and safety are prioritised through personal accident insurance and well‑managed car‑park procedures, and the school is awaiting inclusion in the national hot‑school‑meals scheme. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, featuring dedicated sport, music and school‑garden programmes, and a recognised Green School initiative that highlights environmental stewardship. These facilities, together with a supportive community and a focus on digital literacy, create a nurturing environment for pupils to thrive academically and socially.
Applying to Carnaun 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 Carnaun 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 Carnaun National School
How many pupils attend Carnaun National School?
Carnaun National School has 89 pupils enrolled, 44 girls and 45 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Carnaun National School a DEIS school?
No. Carnaun 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 Carnaun National School?
Carnaun National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.