Crinkhill National School
BIRR, Offaly
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 243 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 129 girls, 114 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18267Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Crinkill National School is a co‑educational primary school located in the village of Crinkill, parish of Birr, County Offaly. Operating under the Catholic patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe, the school welcomes children of all faiths and places equal respect on every religion. It follows a holistic educational philosophy that nurtures academic, social and emotional development, providing a safe and caring environment where pupils can thrive. Learning is delivered through a blend of team‑teaching, station‑teaching and both in‑class and withdrawal support models, ensuring that each child receives personalised attention. The school benefits from a range of modern facilities. Recent developments have added a dedicated library, a purpose‑built sports hall, specialist resource rooms and a learning support suite. Additional classrooms, a staffroom and a multi‑use purpose room support a varied curriculum and community use. Outdoor playing fields have also been expanded, offering ample space for physical education and extracurricular activities. The school’s single‑grade structure means each class level has its own dedicated teacher and classroom, fostering continuity and strong teacher‑pupil relationships.
History
The original primary school in Crinkill was founded in 1851 with funding from the Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Kennedy, and operated on School Road until 1958. On 22 September 1958, 84 pupils moved into a new building constructed by Mr M Loughnane. Following the closure of Fortal National School in 1966, enrolments grew, leading to the addition of prefabricated classrooms in 1979 and again in the early 1990s. A major refurbishment and extension, carried out by Frank Murray and Sons, was completed in December 1992, adding three new classrooms, a purpose room, store and shelter. The official opening took place on 18 June 1993, blessed by Bishop Michael Harty and opened by Minister Brian Cowen. Further expansion included a prefabricated extension in 2002 and a permanent building completed in 2012, providing extra classrooms, resource rooms, a library and a sports hall. The Board of Management was first established in 1975, a school uniform introduced in 1994, and a Parents Association formed in 1995.
Applying to Crinkhill 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 Crinkhill 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 Crinkhill National School
How many pupils attend Crinkhill National School?
Crinkhill National School has 243 pupils enrolled, 129 girls and 114 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Crinkhill National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Crinkhill 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 Crinkhill National School?
Crinkhill National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.