Esker National School
Athenry, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 65 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 28 girls, 37 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01000E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Esker National School is a vibrant primary school situated in the parish of Kiltulla, beside St Patrick’s Monastery and a short distance from the historic town of Athenry. The school serves a close‑knit community of over 60 families, with a current enrolment of 98 pupils. Its ethos is centred on partnership with parents, the parish and the wider community, fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential through a balanced programme of academic learning, creative arts and sport. The campus comprises four spacious classrooms, a well‑stocked library/resource room, a dedicated learning‑support room, staff facilities and a modern office. Two large prefabricated structures provide flexible multi‑purpose spaces. A significant extension, completed in September 2008 and officially opened in December 2010, added further classroom capacity and state‑of‑the‑art equipment. Bright, colour‑rich interiors showcase pupils’ artwork, creating an inviting atmosphere that supports both collaborative and individual learning.
History
The original Esker school was founded by Fr Smith in 1828 as a two‑storey building in a field adjacent to the present site. The current school building was erected in 1962 as a modest two‑roomed facility; a prefabricated classroom was added by 1982 to meet growing demand. An extensive extension, funded by the Department of Education and local contributions, was completed in September 2008. The new wing was officially opened by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan on 12 December 2010 and blessed by Bishop John Kirby.
Applying to Esker 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 Esker 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 Esker National School
How many pupils attend Esker National School?
Esker National School has 65 pupils enrolled, 28 girls and 37 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Esker National School a DEIS school?
No. Esker 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 Esker National School?
Esker National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.