Cliffoney National School
Cliffoney, Sligo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 96 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 41 girls, 55 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16136O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Cliffoney National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school serving the rural community of Cliffoney under the patronage of the Bishop of Elphin. The school provides education for Junior and Senior Infants, First Class, Second and Third Classes, and Fourth to Sixth Classes, fostering a warm, inclusive environment where pupils of all faiths feel welcomed. Its ethos is rooted in a philosophy of life inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, aiming for the harmonious development of each child’s intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual dimensions. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A recent 2007 refurbishment introduced two state‑of‑the‑art classrooms and a new staffroom, while the original building retains its early‑20th‑century character. Outdoor resources include a dedicated football pitch and an organic garden situated on the field behind the local health centre, providing ample space for sport and experiential learning. Uniforms were introduced in the late 1990s, and the school continually seeks to nurture talent, confidence and caring through a broad curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.
History
The present Cliffoney National School was built in 1914 as a replacement for the earlier separate boys’ and girls’ schools, with Master McHugh as its first principal. In 1972 the nearby Mullaghmore School closed and its thirteen pupils transferred to Cliffoney, prompting renovations in the 1970s. The internal wooden partition separating boys and girls was removed in 1991, the school was extended, and the field behind the health centre was acquired for a football pitch and organic garden. Uniforms were introduced in the late 1990s. A major refurbishment in 2007 modernised the original block and added two new state‑of‑the‑art classrooms and a staffroom. The centenary was celebrated in October 2014, attended by President Michael D. Higgins, with an exhibition of photos and memorabilia.
Applying to Cliffoney 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 Cliffoney 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 Cliffoney National School
How many pupils attend Cliffoney National School?
Cliffoney National School has 96 pupils enrolled, 41 girls and 55 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cliffoney National School a DEIS school?
No. Cliffoney 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 Cliffoney National School?
Cliffoney National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.