Clerihan National School
CLONMEL, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 202 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 85 girls, 117 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17486A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Clerihan National School is a mainstream co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in South Tipperary. It welcomes children of all faith backgrounds and places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of each pupil – academically, physically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. The school’s ethos is encapsulated in its motto “Ní Neart go Cur le Chéile” (“There is No Strength Without Unity”), reflecting a commitment to teamwork, community and inclusive learning. The school operates from modern facilities that include ten classrooms, high‑speed broadband supplied through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, and a range of contemporary educational tools. With a total enrolment of around 204 children, the school is supported by an administrative principal, ten class teachers, three special‑education teachers, six special‑needs assistants and a full‑time secretary, all working together to provide a supportive and dynamic learning environment.
History
The original school was located on the church grounds but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1944. A new purpose‑built school opened in 1996 to accommodate the rapid growth of the village and its student population. Since then the school has expanded to a bustling ten‑classroom institution serving over two hundred pupils.
Applying to Clerihan 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 Clerihan 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 Clerihan National School
How many pupils attend Clerihan National School?
Clerihan National School has 202 pupils enrolled, 85 girls and 117 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Clerihan National School a DEIS school?
No. Clerihan 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 Clerihan National School?
Clerihan National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.