Connolly National School
Ennis, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 27 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 17 girls, 10 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15408Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Connolly National School is a small, co‑educational primary school situated in Connolly, Ennis, County Clare. The school provides a welcoming environment for children aged four to twelve, with a strong emphasis on inclusive education and personalised support. Classrooms are spacious and colourfully decorated, creating a stimulating setting for learning, while a large yard and a dedicated playing pitch offer ample space for outdoor activities and physical development. An on‑site pre‑school extends the educational provision to early years, ensuring a seamless transition into the primary curriculum. The school’s staffing structure includes two class teachers, a learning support teacher, a shared resource teacher and a part‑time special needs assistant, reflecting a commitment to catering for a range of learning needs. With an enrolment of 44 pupils, the school maintains small class sizes that enable individual attention and foster a close‑knit community atmosphere. Facilities have been expanded over the years, notably with the addition of two new classrooms in 1994, further enhancing the learning environment.
History
Connolly National School opened in 1905. In 1994 the Board of Management added two new classrooms to the existing facilities.
Applying to Connolly 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 Connolly 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 Connolly National School
How many pupils attend Connolly National School?
Connolly National School has 27 pupils enrolled, 17 girls and 10 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Connolly National School a DEIS school?
No. Connolly 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 Connolly National School?
Connolly National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.