Dysart National School
Mullingar, Westmeath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 24 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 13 girls, 11 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17290G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Phádraig Naofa, Dysart, is a small, two‑teacher national school situated about ten kilometres north‑west of Mullingar in County Westmeath. With a roll of twenty‑seven pupils ranging from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, the school offers a close‑knit, community‑focused environment where each child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The curriculum is delivered in a bright, vibrant setting that balances traditional Irish primary education with a range of enrichment activities, including French lessons, tag rugby, energy workshops and book‑week projects, fostering both academic and personal development. The school operates on a structured timetable, with Junior and Senior Infants attending from 9.20 am to 2.00 pm and older classes continuing until 3.00 pm. Facilities include dedicated junior and senior rooms, a school garden used for biodiversity projects, and access to a creative cluster that supports green‑school initiatives. Regular open days and enrolment notices demonstrate an active engagement with prospective families and the wider community.
History
The present school building was constructed in 2006 and officially opened on 30 May 2008 by the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith. However, a school has served the Dysart community since 1850, reflecting a long‑standing tradition of local education.
Applying to Dysart 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 Dysart 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 Dysart National School
How many pupils attend Dysart National School?
Dysart National School has 24 pupils enrolled, 13 girls and 11 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dysart National School a DEIS school?
No. Dysart 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 Dysart National School?
Dysart National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.