Kilbrien National School
CLONMEL, Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 15 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 7 girls, 8 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17643N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilbrien National School is a small, two‑teacher primary school nestled in the foothills of the Comeragh Mountains in Ballinamult, County Waterford. The school serves a close‑knit community of around 20 pupils and prides itself on being a welcoming, positive and inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to thrive. A strong Parents Association underpins the school’s ethos, supporting a range of activities and initiatives that enrich the educational experience. The school makes excellent use of its outdoor setting, providing pupils with a dedicated polytunnel and an Outdoor Sensory Classroom that facilitate hands‑on learning in science, horticulture and sensory development. These facilities complement the classroom curriculum and reflect the school’s commitment to experiential learning and fostering a love of the natural world. Regular communication through a termly newsletter and an active Facebook page keeps families informed and engaged with school life.
Applying to Kilbrien 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 Kilbrien 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 Kilbrien National School
How many pupils attend Kilbrien National School?
Kilbrien National School has 15 pupils enrolled, 7 girls and 8 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilbrien National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilbrien 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 Kilbrien National School?
Kilbrien National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.