Holy Family
Tralee, Kerry
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 265 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 113 girls, 152 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19536W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Family National School is a vibrant primary school situated in the heart of Tralee, County Kerry. It delivers a Catholic‑based, whole‑child education that balances academic rigour with the development of character, compassion and curiosity. The curriculum is designed to nurture intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual growth, with a strong emphasis on holistic learning, environmental awareness through the Green Schools programme, and active participation in sport, exemplified by the Active Schools Flag Award. The school provides a supportive, inclusive community where pupils are known, valued and encouraged to thrive. Facilities include dedicated infant and main school classrooms, a safe playground, and spaces for extracurricular activities. A collaborative partnership between home and school underpins the ethos, fostering strong parent‑teacher relationships and community involvement. As a DEIS‑designated school, Holy Family benefits from additional resources to promote equality of opportunity for all learners.
History
Holy Family National School was established in 1976 under Principal Micheál Hayes to relieve overcrowding in other Tralee schools. Initially operating from the Old Monastery in Balloonagh for older boys, the school moved to its current building in January 1980, expanding to accommodate children from infant to 6th class. In September 2006 the school became fully co‑educational, welcoming both boys and girls. Maria O’Regan was appointed the first female principal in 2021, and the school received DEIS status in 2022, enhancing support for its community.
Applying to Holy Family
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Holy Family. 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 Holy Family
How many pupils attend Holy Family?
Holy Family has 265 pupils enrolled, 113 girls and 152 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family a DEIS school?
Yes. Holy Family is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Holy Family?
Holy Family has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by Raymond Norris. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.