Convent Of Mercy National School
Belturbet, Cavan
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 163 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 117 girls, 46 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16057S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
The Convent of Mercy National School is a Catholic, vertically‑structured primary school serving the parish of Annagh and surrounding areas in Belturbet, Co. Cavan. Guided by a strong Catholic ethos, the school nurtures each child’s emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual and social development while respecting all faiths. Core values such as honesty, truthfulness, trust, tolerance and compassion are modelled and celebrated, and every pupil is treated equally regardless of sex, religion, race or background. A community‑of‑learners approach recognises diverse learning styles and talents, encouraging effort, celebrating success and building confidence, self‑esteem and a lifelong joy of learning. The school caters for girls aged 4‑12 (Junior to Sixth class) and boys aged 4‑7 (Junior Infants to First class), with boys moving on to St Mary’s Boys’ School after First class. Facilities include a historic two‑storey granite‑stair building (1909) with modern PVC windows, central heating, fire‑rated doors and a unique ventilation system. Additional prefabricated classrooms (added in 1986 and 2007) expand teaching space, while the yard offers sheltered play areas, a renovated storage shed and a historic Victorian‑style wooden dolls’ house that remains a cherished feature. The school places great emphasis on parental partnership, professional development of staff and the promotion of Irish cultural pride and mutual respect.
History
The Convent of Mercy National School opened its doors in 1909 on the Mercy Order’s convent grounds, originally staffed entirely by Sisters of Mercy. In 1966 the school amalgamated with Drumlaney County School, introducing the first lay teacher, and the last religious principal retired in 1997, after which the staff became wholly lay and female. A centenary book (1909‑2009) commemorates the school’s first hundred years, highlighting its evolution in curriculum, technology and a growing multicultural pupil body while remaining a central part of the Belturbet community. Over the decades the building has been modernised – windows replaced (1996), central heating installed (1968), fire doors added (1999) and prefabricated classrooms erected (1986, 2007) – preserving its historic character alongside contemporary facilities.
Applying to Convent Of Mercy 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 Convent Of Mercy 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 Convent Of Mercy National School
How many pupils attend Convent Of Mercy National School?
Convent Of Mercy National School has 163 pupils enrolled, 117 girls and 46 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Convent Of Mercy National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Convent Of Mercy National 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 Of Mercy National School?
Convent Of Mercy National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.