Cloonakilla National School
Bealnamulla, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 399 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 193 girls, 206 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18395C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Cloonakilla National School is a vibrant primary school that places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of pupils, staff and families. A dedicated Wellbeing Resources hub provides families with tools to support health, happiness and mental health both at school and at home. The school runs a range of enrichment activities such as Maths Week, Science Week and “Funky Fridays”, which promote creative learning and social interaction while reinforcing the importance of mental wellbeing. The school operates a modern, state‑of‑the‑art campus that was opened in September 2017, replacing the original 1958 building and its temporary prefabs. Facilities now accommodate sixteen class teachers, six special educational needs (SEN) teachers and five school‑nominated assistants (SNAs), enabling a broad, inclusive curriculum. A Coiste Gaelbhratach drives the development of Irish language provision, reflecting the school’s commitment to cultural heritage and bilingual education.
History
Cloonakilla National School was established in 1958 as a two‑teacher school under Principal Mr A. Faulkner and assistant Mrs Quinn. Subsequent expansions added classrooms in 1984 and 1990, and a major renovation of the original building was completed in 2003. After the retirement of Principal Michael O’Grady in 2006, Mary O’Rourke became principal, and in December 2010 Mary Fitzpatrick retired after 34 years of service. The school now employs sixteen class teachers, six SEN teachers and five SNAs, and moved into new state‑of‑the‑art premises in September 2017.
Applying to Cloonakilla 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 Cloonakilla 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 Cloonakilla National School
How many pupils attend Cloonakilla National School?
Cloonakilla National School has 399 pupils enrolled, 193 girls and 206 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cloonakilla National School a DEIS school?
No. Cloonakilla 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 Cloonakilla National School?
Cloonakilla National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.