Holy Family National School
Carlow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 592 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 299 girls, 293 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20592Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Family National School is a newly amalgamated DEIS Band 1 primary school situated in Askea, Carlow Town. Operating on a dual‑site campus, the school accommodates 33 mainstream classes and two dedicated autism classes, with plans underway for a four‑classroom Special Education base. The learning environment is equipped with modern digital resources – chromebooks, iPads and interactive whiteboards – procured through the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan, ensuring all pupils have access to contemporary educational technology. The school’s ethos centres on providing a warm, safe and supportive setting where every child can thrive academically and socially. A strong emphasis is placed on fostering self‑esteem, a sense of belonging and community spirit, while encouraging a culture of striving for excellence. A broad range of extra‑curricular activities enriches the curriculum, including Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, basketball, spikeball, cross‑country running, karate, music, concerts, quizzes and science challenges, allowing pupils to explore diverse interests beyond the classroom. Through collaborative effort and a commitment to inclusive education, Holy Family National School aims to nurture confident, caring individuals who are prepared to contribute positively to society.
History
Holy Family National School (Roll No. 20592Q) was created by the amalgamation of two former schools – Holy Family Boys’ School (R.N. 19477J) and Holy Family Girls’ School (R.N. 19478L). The merger combined the two historic communities into a single DEIS Band 1 primary school serving the Askea area of Carlow Town. The school now operates across two buildings on a shared site, retaining the legacy of both predecessor institutions while looking forward to future development, including a dedicated Special Education base.
Applying to Holy Family 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 Holy Family 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 Holy Family National School
How many pupils attend Holy Family National School?
Holy Family National School has 592 pupils enrolled, 299 girls and 293 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Holy Family National School 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 National School?
Holy Family National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.