Glor na Mara National School
Tramore, Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 381 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 186 girls, 195 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20116H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Glór na Mara National School is a mixed primary school situated on Convent Hill in Tramore, overlooking the town’s beautiful bay. It caters for approximately 380 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class and provides a broad, holistic curriculum within a modern, compassionate Christian ethos. The school benefits from a recently refurbished campus – the original *Star of the Sea* building now includes a sizeable new extension that consolidates all classes on a single site since 2021. The learning environment is supported by a dedicated team of teachers, support staff and specialist assistants, ensuring personalised attention for a range of needs. A strong emphasis is placed on extracurricular activities: music remains a vibrant part of school life, Gaelic games are actively promoted, and an enthusiastic “Active Committee” organises events such as the Reindeer Run and various fitness initiatives. These programmes aim to develop confidence, teamwork and a love of learning beyond the classroom, while the school’s facilities accommodate both academic and creative pursuits.
History
Glór na Mara National School traces its roots to two 19th‑century institutions. In 1866 the Sisters of Charity founded the *Star of the Sea* school for girls, and in 1867 the Christian Brothers opened the *Edmund Rice* National School for boys. Both schools expanded with extensions in the 1960s and 1970s. After the Christian Brothers departed Tramore in 1993, the two schools continued to collaborate until their formal amalgamation in 2000, creating Glór na Mara. The two historic buildings remained in use until a major refurbishment and new extension of the *Star of the Sea* site were completed in September 2021, uniting all classes on a single modern campus.
Applying to Glor na Mara 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 Glor na Mara 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 Glor na Mara National School
How many pupils attend Glor na Mara National School?
Glor na Mara National School has 381 pupils enrolled, 186 girls and 195 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Glor na Mara National School a DEIS school?
No. Glor na Mara 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 Glor na Mara National School?
Glor na Mara National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.