Iniscealtra National School
Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 71 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 45 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18109V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Iniscealtra National School is a small, community‑focused primary school situated in Mountshannon, County Clare. The school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 4‑12, delivering the Irish national curriculum with an emphasis on holistic development, literacy, numeracy and the arts. Class sizes are kept modest, allowing for personalised attention and the fostering of strong relationships between pupils and staff. Outdoor learning is a key feature, highlighted by the school’s award‑winning garden, which was recognised with first place in the All‑Ireland National School Gardens Competition in 1980. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A major refurbishment completed in 2000 added two new classrooms, a staff room, upgraded toilets and a storage area, while all original rooms were fully overhauled. The grounds, originally laid out in the late 1960s, are maintained as an attractive, safe play and learning space, supporting both curricular and extracurricular activities. The school’s close ties with parents and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation underpin a collaborative ethos that enriches the educational experience.
History
The original school building dates from the 1840s and remained in use until a new two‑teacher school was erected in 1957. The historic structure nearby is noted for its strong architectural quality. In 1980 the school achieved first place in the All‑Ireland National School Gardens Competition. A substantial extension and refurbishment were completed in 2000, introducing two new classrooms, a staff room, modern toilets and a storage room, and fully renovating the existing rooms. The school’s name derives from the nearby island of Iniscealtra (Holy Island), site of a 6th‑century monastery founded by St Colm, with ruins of seven churches and a well‑preserved round tower.
Applying to Iniscealtra 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 Iniscealtra 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 Iniscealtra National School
How many pupils attend Iniscealtra National School?
Iniscealtra National School has 71 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 45 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Iniscealtra National School a DEIS school?
No. Iniscealtra 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 Iniscealtra National School?
Iniscealtra National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.