Faha National School
Killarney, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 224 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 95 girls, 129 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11405N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Faha National School is a rural, co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of County Kerry. It provides a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential through a broad, balanced curriculum that blends academic rigour with creativity, music, sport and the arts. The school places a strong emphasis on curiosity, kindness and respect, aiming to develop confident, caring and responsible members of society while maintaining close partnerships with parents, the local community and the parish. The campus comprises nine mainstream classrooms together with specialised spaces such as an autism classroom, a sensory room, a library, a first‑aid room and a multi‑purpose G.P. hall. Extensive gardens and a purpose‑built astroturf pitch support outdoor learning and physical development, and a recent modular unit adds further classroom capacity. With a staff team of 26 supporting over 220 pupils, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts and music programmes, ensuring each child can discover and develop their individual talents.
History
The origins of Faha National School date back to 1834 when a single‑room schoolhouse was erected at Faha Cross, financed by local landowner Mrs Raymond for the education of parish boys. An 1849 extension accommodated girls, and the first principals were Mr Sylvester O’Shea and later Mr Michael McGillycuddy. Rapid enrolment growth led to a new two‑room building completed in October 1880, with teaching commencing in July 1881 under Mr John McGillycuddy (boys) and Mrs Sarah O’Dowd (girls). Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the school saw a succession of principals, including Richard McCarthy (1896) and Seán Moriarty (1918). In 1939 major renovations created mixed‑gender classrooms, marking the start of co‑education. The 1960s amalgamations incorporated the Kilbonane and Rockfield catchment areas, prompting the addition of prefabricated classrooms. A modern purpose‑built facility was opened in 1995, with further extensions in 2009, 2016 and 2018 (including a state‑of‑the‑art astroturf pitch). A modular unit added in August 2025 expanded mainstream capacity, and by September 2025 the school served 224 pupils.
Applying to Faha 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
View Faha National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Faha National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Faha National School
How many pupils attend Faha National School?
Faha National School has 224 pupils enrolled, 95 girls and 129 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Faha National School a DEIS school?
No. Faha 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 Faha National School?
Faha National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.