Kilkenny Cbs Primary School
Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 278 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 35 girls, 243 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17867M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
CBS Primary School, known in Irish as Scoil Iognáid de Rís, is a Catholic primary school operating under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST). The school occupies a purpose‑built facility that first opened its doors in 1953, having previously shared a site with the local CBS secondary school. It provides a safe, welcoming environment where pupils are encouraged to reach their full potential through a balanced programme of academic and extra‑curricular activities. A partnership ethos underpins the school’s approach, with pupils, parents, staff and management working collaboratively to support learning and personal development. In August 2023 the school took a significant step towards becoming a fully vertical co‑educational institution, enrolling Junior Infant girls and boys and launching its first dedicated Autism class. While Junior Infants now include both genders, the school continues to cater for boys from Second to Sixth Class, with plans to extend co‑education throughout all years. A broad range of curricular and extracurricular provisions, including sports, arts and special‑needs support, enable children to explore and develop their talents while preparing them for further education and lifelong learning.
History
The current school building opened in 1953 after an earlier period of sharing premises with the CBS Secondary School. On 31 August 2023 the school marked a milestone by admitting Junior Infant girls and boys for the first time and establishing an Autism class, initiating its transition to a fully vertical co‑educational primary school. The school now serves Junior Infants through Sixth Class, continuing its Catholic educational tradition under the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
Applying to Kilkenny Cbs Primary 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 Kilkenny Cbs Primary 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 Kilkenny Cbs Primary School
How many pupils attend Kilkenny Cbs Primary School?
Kilkenny Cbs Primary School has 278 pupils enrolled, 35 girls and 243 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilkenny Cbs Primary School a DEIS school?
No. Kilkenny Cbs Primary 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 Kilkenny Cbs Primary School?
Kilkenny Cbs Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.