Edenderry Convent National School
Edenderry, Offaly
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 429 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 244 girls, 185 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16013V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s Primary School in Edenderry is a co‑educational Catholic primary school catering for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school’s ethos centres on the holistic development of each pupil – spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, socially and physically – within an atmosphere of love, acceptance and compassion. A strong emphasis is placed on creating a happy, friendly environment where learning is child‑focused and collaborative, involving parents, staff and the wider community as partners in education. The campus offers a wide range of modern facilities to support a varied curriculum. Dedicated digital technology spaces enable pupils to engage in word processing, coding and robotics, while the library, playground, school hall and specialist “Buddy Area” provide spaces for reading, recreation and peer support. Outdoor learning is encouraged through a school garden and extensive physical‑activity programmes that include football, swimming and other sports. A robust after‑school programme and numerous extracurricular clubs further enrich the pupil experience, fostering creativity, teamwork and confidence.
History
St. Mary’s traces its origins to 1904 when the Sisters of St. John of God were invited by Fr Kinsella to provide education for girls and infant boys in Edenderry. Five sisters, led by Mother Aloysius, arrived from Wexford and taught in the building now known as St. Joseph’s Hall. In 1911 a larger school was constructed under Fr Kearney, with further extensions added in 1929, 1954 and 1965 (including a kitchen and assembly hall funded by the Sisters). Two additional classrooms were added in 2004. In 2017 the school re‑configured to a co‑educational model, admitting boys from second to sixth class. September 2021 saw the opening of Realtaí Beaga, an early‑intervention preschool class for children with autism. Recent plans, approved by the Department of Education & Skills, envisage further development of the school’s facilities.
Applying to Edenderry Convent 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 Edenderry Convent 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 Edenderry Convent National School
How many pupils attend Edenderry Convent National School?
Edenderry Convent National School has 429 pupils enrolled, 244 girls and 185 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Edenderry Convent National School a DEIS school?
No. Edenderry Convent 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 Edenderry Convent National School?
Edenderry Convent National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.