Culmore National School
Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 33 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 21 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16780S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Culmore National School is a small, rural primary school situated three miles outside Swinford in the scenic countryside of County Mayo. The school caters for children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, operating a full‑day schedule (9:20 am–2 pm for Infants and 9:20 am–3 pm for Classes 1‑6). With a dedicated team that includes two class teachers and a Special Education Teacher, the school provides a supportive learning environment that embraces the values of caring, sharing, tolerance and respect. Kindness is highlighted as a core principle, underpinning all classroom activities and community interactions. The school’s ethos promotes the holistic development of each pupil, encouraging both academic progress and personal growth. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe, happy atmosphere, fostering respect for diversity, and encouraging physical activity and environmental stewardship. Strong links with parents and the wider community are maintained, ensuring collaborative support for every child to reach their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.
History
Culmore National School was founded on 1 April 1869 in the townland of Cloonaghboy, parish of Kilconduff, Barony of Gallen, originally accommodating around 177 pupils. The first teacher was Mr Patrick Hayden, followed shortly by Mary Higgins. The original schoolhouse stood on the site now used as the school’s football pitch. A new building was erected in 1928 to replace the dilapidated structure, and over the years numerous extensions and upgrades have been added. In 1999 the school and local community produced a commemorative publication, *Culmore National School, Down Memory Lane*, celebrating its heritage.
Applying to Culmore 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Culmore 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 Culmore National School
How many pupils attend Culmore National School?
Culmore National School has 33 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 21 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Culmore National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Culmore 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 Culmore National School?
Culmore National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.