Primary school

Convent Junior School

Castleblayney, Monaghan

Watercolour illustration of the Convent Junior School building, Castleblayney
Illustration of Convent Junior School.

Key facts

  • DEIS
  • Mixed
Pupils enrolled
197 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
Girls and boys
80 girls, 117 boys
Ethos
Catholic
Teaching through Irish
No subjects through Irish
Roll number
16319W the Department of Education reference for this school

School details

Address
Laurel Hill, Castleblayney
Location
Castleblayney, Monaghan
School type
Primary
Latest inspection reports
View on gov.ie

Location

About

Convent Junior School is a co‑educational primary institution situated in Castleblayney, County Monaghan. The school adopts a holistic approach to education, aiming to develop each child intellectually, spiritually, physically, morally, socially and culturally. Central to its ethos is a Catholic foundation that welcomes pupils of all faiths, promoting understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity. The curriculum follows the Irish Primary School Curriculum while placing strong emphasis on personal responsibility, courtesy and consideration, ensuring that academic learning is balanced with the development of character and well‑being. The school provides a range of mainstream classes alongside specialised support for children with additional needs, including autism, mild general learning difficulties (MGLD) and early intervention programmes. Whole‑school initiatives focus on inclusive practices, health and safety, and extracurricular activities that enrich the learning experience. Modern facilities support a vibrant learning environment, with dedicated spaces for classroom learning, creative arts, physical education and specialised support, fostering an inclusive community where every child can thrive.

Applying to Convent Junior 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 Convent Junior 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 Convent Junior School

How many pupils attend Convent Junior School?

Convent Junior School has 197 pupils enrolled, 80 girls and 117 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.

Is Convent Junior School a DEIS school?

Yes. Convent Junior School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.

What is the ethos of Convent Junior School?

Convent Junior School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.