Castle Iney National School
Templemore, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 31 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17653Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castleiney National School is a Catholic‑ethos primary school that aims to provide a structured, caring and secure environment for children aged 4‑12. The curriculum is designed to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each pupil, with a strong emphasis on a broad and balanced programme that incorporates digital learning, active enquiry and wellbeing activities such as yoga and after‑school clubs. Parents and guardians are encouraged to partner with the school through regular home‑school communication and an active Parents Association, fostering a community‑wide commitment to each child’s development. The school benefits from modern facilities, including a purpose‑built classroom block that was extended and upgraded in 2008, and a converted community hall that serves as a versatile space for events and extracurricular programmes. An after‑school club, Templetots Academy, is available on site, and the school promotes the use of the Irish language in daily life. The ethos stresses respect for people and property, self‑esteem and responsibility, preparing pupils to become confident, compassionate members of society.
History
The origins of education in Castleiney trace back to the late 18th century when William Meagher ran a classical school at the Washpin (Kilcurkee) for up to 90 pupils. By 1824 the parish hosted six pay‑schools of varying quality. When state funding for elementary education began in 1830, the parish priest Fr James Mullally initially embraced the scheme, but his death in 1832 and the opposition of his successor delayed affiliation. Throughout the 1840s the parish maintained nine pay‑schools, but the Great Famine reduced them to three, leaving the Castleiney school vacant by 1854. The arrival of Fr John Cooney (1855‑61) saw the establishment of a national school in Castleiney in 1858. A new school building was erected in 1948, the original house becoming a community hall, and the premises were further extended and modernised in 2008.
Applying to Castle Iney 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 Castle Iney 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 Castle Iney National School
How many pupils attend Castle Iney National School?
Castle Iney National School has 31 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castle Iney National School a DEIS school?
No. Castle Iney 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 Castle Iney National School?
Castle Iney National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.