Golden National School
Cashel, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 85 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 28 girls, 57 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17114J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Golden National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school situated in the rural village of Golden, County Tipperary, on the N74 between Cashel and Tipperary. The school serves children aged four to twelve and currently enrols around eighty‑five pupils. Under the patronage of the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, the school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment that promotes academic achievement, creativity and personal development. A strong emphasis is placed on partnership with parents and the wider community, encouraging open communication and collaborative support for each child’s learning journey. The school operates from a historic building erected in 1937, which has been expanded several times to meet modern needs. Extensions added in 1964 introduced central heating and indoor toilet facilities, while a 1981 development created a dedicated infants classroom, a staffroom and a purpose‑built hall. Facilities support a broad curriculum that includes literacy lift programmes, active‑school initiatives, green‑school projects and a variety of sports and cultural activities, reflecting the school’s commitment to a well‑rounded education.
History
The present school building dates from 1937, replacing an earlier two‑room school on Abbey Road that existed from the 1850s and a predecessor on the village green dating to 1847. A further National School once operated in Cloughaleigh. In 1964 an extension added rear‑ward classrooms, flush toilets and central heating. During the 1970s, first and second classes were taught in the old parish hall under the stewardship of the school community. A 1981 extension provided a new infants classroom with its own toilet area, a staffroom and a purpose hall. The school’s history is documented in a published book available on request.
Applying to Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden National School
How many pupils attend Golden National School?
Golden National School has 85 pupils enrolled, 28 girls and 57 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Golden National School a DEIS school?
No. Golden 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 Golden National School?
Golden National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.