Ennis National School
Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 615 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 286 girls, 329 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15042A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ennis National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated on Kilrush Road in Ennis, County Clare. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe, the school fosters a climate of physical, emotional, social and intellectual safety, encouraging pupils to develop not only academically but also spiritually, culturally and personally. The curriculum follows the Irish Primary School Curriculum, embracing the “many dimensions of human experience” and promoting self‑motivation, respect and a sense of peace with oneself, others and the wider world. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, offering a wide range of extra‑curricular activities such as team sports (tennis, rugby, badminton, athletics), chess, engineering projects, music, choir and cultural events that celebrate Irish language and heritage. Facilities include modern classrooms (the 1972 building provides 16 classrooms) and spaces for sports and creative pursuits, supporting a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that welcomes pupils of all faiths while maintaining a clear Catholic ethos.
History
- 1897: Opened at the corner of Carmody Street and Kilrush Road (now the present Youth Centre) as Ennis Boys National School; first pupil enrolled was Patrick McCallan. - 1898: John Mackey appointed Principal. - 1920: John Gordon appointed Principal. - 1946: Brian M. Kelly appointed Principal. - 1972: New school building opened on Kilrush Road opposite the original site, providing 16 classrooms. - 1981: Garry Stack appointed Principal.
Applying to Ennis 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 Ennis 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 Ennis National School
How many pupils attend Ennis National School?
Ennis National School has 615 pupils enrolled, 286 girls and 329 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ennis National School a DEIS school?
No. Ennis 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 Ennis National School?
Ennis National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.