Castletara National School
Ballyhaise, Cavan
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 183 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 92 girls, 91 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14073G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castletara National School is a Roman Catholic, co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants to Sixth class. The school operates under the patronage of the Bishop of Kilmore and embraces an inclusive ethos, providing mainstream and dedicated ASD (Le Chéile) classes so that pupils of all abilities can learn together. Its educational philosophy promotes the full and harmonious development of each child – cognitively, intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually – with a strong emphasis on a living relationship with God and the wider community. The school offers a broad programme of extracurricular activities that complement the curriculum. Recent initiatives have included Maths Week with hands‑on concrete materials and board‑game stations, an “Electric Picnic” of music and performance, taekwondo, swimming, cross‑country athletics, science and nature outings at The Fingerstones, and a range of GAA and handball sports. Seasonal events such as Christmas plays, a live circus act, and community fundraising projects further enrich pupil experience and foster strong ties with parents and local organisations. Facilities include a well‑equipped school hall for performances and assemblies, dedicated classrooms for mainstream and ASD provision, and access to outdoor sports areas for athletics and team games. The school’s active Parents Association supports a vibrant community life, organising events and charitable fundraising that enhance the social and moral development of pupils.
History
Founded in 1891, St Patrick’s National School (Castletara NS) has operated continuously as a Roman Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Kilmore. Over more than a century it has evolved to become an inclusive institution, expanding its provision to include a dedicated ASD (Le Chéile) area while maintaining its commitment to holistic, faith‑based education.
Applying to Castletara 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 Castletara 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 Castletara National School
How many pupils attend Castletara National School?
Castletara National School has 183 pupils enrolled, 92 girls and 91 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castletara National School a DEIS school?
No. Castletara 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 Castletara National School?
Castletara National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.