Castledermot National School Mixed
Castledermot, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 344 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 154 girls, 190 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19786W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Diarmada is a Catholic national school situated in the historic village of Castledermot, County Kildare. Operating under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin, the school delivers the Department of Education and Skills (DES) curriculum to children from Junior Infant through to Senior classes. The school’s ethos is encapsulated in its motto “Ár ndícheall í gconaí” – “Our best always” – which underpins a commitment to academic rigour, personal development and a supportive community atmosphere. The school occupies a modern, purpose‑built complex that was opened in January 2009, providing contemporary classrooms, specialist learning spaces and a well‑maintained playground. An on‑site sports ground, Pairc Uí Dunne, offers facilities for a range of activities including hurling, soccer, athletics, equestrian pursuits and basketball, reflecting the school’s strong emphasis on physical well‑being and teamwork. Comprehensive safeguarding and health policies are regularly updated, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all pupils. Scoil Diarmada places a strong focus on inclusive education, with specific enrolment provisions for children with additional support needs and a range of pastoral policies covering behaviour, medication, and child protection. The school day runs from 9.00 am to 1.40 pm for Junior and Senior Infants and until 2.40 pm for older children, with supervised yard time beginning at 8.45 am. These structures, together with a clear set of school policies, support a balanced approach to learning, play and personal growth.
History
Scoil Diarmada is located in the townland of Garterfarm on the Athy road in Castledermot, Co. Kildare and operates as a Catholic school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. The original school building was erected in 1952 and refurbished in 1988. Previously, separate boys’ and girls’ schools – Scoil Mhuire na gCailíní and Scoil Mhuire na mBuachaillí – occupied the site; they amalgamated in September 1981 under the principalship of Ms Mary Lyng and the new institution was named Scoil Diarmada. A new school building commenced in January 2008 and opened on 7 January 2009. In June 2016 Mr Brendan Dunne resigned as principal and the school’s playing field was renamed Pairc Uí Dunne. Ms Jennifer Murphy was appointed principal in September 2016. The school day starts at 9.00 am for Junior and Senior Infants and at 2.40 pm for the remaining classes, with yard supervision from 8.45 am. The school motto is “Ár ndícheall í gconaí” (“Our best always”).
Applying to Castledermot National School Mixed
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 Castledermot National School Mixed. 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 Castledermot National School Mixed
How many pupils attend Castledermot National School Mixed?
Castledermot National School Mixed has 344 pupils enrolled, 154 girls and 190 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castledermot National School Mixed a DEIS school?
No. Castledermot National School Mixed 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 Castledermot National School Mixed?
Castledermot National School Mixed has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.