Holy Family Senior School
Portlaoise, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 644 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 319 girls, 325 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20480F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Family Senior School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in Portlaoise, County Laois. The school welcomes pupils of all creeds and races, fostering a community where diversity is respected and every child feels they belong. Its mission emphasises kindness, compassion and respect, providing dynamic and constructive learning opportunities within a positive, open environment. A strong Catholic ethos underpins the curriculum, encouraging a kind heart, an open mind, a generous spirit and a healthy body, while promoting personal responsibility and holistic education. The school benefits from shared facilities that reflect its rich heritage, including a football pitch named after Edmund Rice and a large hall dedicated to Nano Nagle. Modern resources such as class‑specific websites, a Star Centre for student activities, and a comprehensive physical‑education programme support a well‑rounded educational experience. Partnerships with local organisations and a focus on extracurricular activities, such as chess clubs and community events, further enhance pupil development and community engagement.
History
Holy Family Senior School is an amalgamation of three historic Portlaoise schools – St Paul’s (originally a Christian Brothers’ school founded in 1847 on Tower Hill, later renamed St Paul’s after the last Brother left in 1994), Sacred Heart (a Presentation Convent opened in 1826 beside the old St Peter and Paul’s Church) and Scoil Mhuire (built in 1955 adjacent to Sacred Heart). The combined school honours its founders by naming the shared football pitch after Edmund Rice and the large hall after Nano Nagle.
Applying to Holy Family Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior School
How many pupils attend Holy Family Senior School?
Holy Family Senior School has 644 pupils enrolled, 319 girls and 325 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family Senior School a DEIS school?
No. Holy Family Senior 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 Holy Family Senior School?
Holy Family Senior School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.