Cloneen National School
Fethard, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 65 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 29 girls, 36 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17694H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Cloneen National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in rural South Tipperary. Under the patronage of the Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, the school provides a caring, happy and secure atmosphere that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural development of each pupil. The curriculum is delivered within a whole‑child philosophy, placing equal emphasis on academic achievement, emotional wellbeing, social skills and physical health, while respecting the faith traditions of all families. The school benefits from a range of modern facilities that have been added as enrolments have grown. An Arts Room, purpose‑built extensions (2004 and 2009) and a renovated former church‑yard building accommodate four classroom teachers, specialist staff for special educational needs, and support personnel. A vibrant programme of extracurricular activities includes music, sport, coding, chess, debating and the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, reflecting a commitment to cultural and personal enrichment beyond the classroom. With a current roll of over 100 pupils, the school operates a Board of Management and a dedicated team of staff who work together to foster a love of learning and a strong sense of community, embodied in the school prayer: “As many hands build a house, so many hearts make a school.”
History
Cloneen National School traces its origins to the mid‑18th century, with records of a Mr Fennelle teaching Christian doctrine in 1758. The original school building was erected in 1820 under Mr Roche and his wife. Official recognition under the National School System came in 1834 (Roll No. 584), and the original premises served the community for 130 years before being renovated at the end of the 20th century. A new two‑classroom school opened across the road in 1949, later expanding to three teachers and an Arts Room built by parents in 1979. Subsequent extensions were added in 2004 and 2009 as pupil numbers rose, reaching the 100‑pupil milestone in 2017. The school now functions as a four‑class teacher institution with additional specialist and support staff, overseen by a Board of Management.
Applying to Cloneen 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 Cloneen 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 Cloneen National School
How many pupils attend Cloneen National School?
Cloneen National School has 65 pupils enrolled, 29 girls and 36 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cloneen National School a DEIS school?
No. Cloneen 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 Cloneen National School?
Cloneen National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.