Killeshin National School
Carlow, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 380 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 178 girls, 202 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17617M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Chomhgháin Naofa is a co‑educational Catholic primary school in Killeshin, County Laois, offering a well‑ordered, caring and secure atmosphere for children aged 4‑12. The school’s ethos balances intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural development, recognising the needs of pupils of all faiths and promoting gender equity, parental partnership and the use of Gaeilge in everyday life. The purpose‑built campus, opened in 2012 on a green‑field site, houses 16 modern classrooms equipped with contemporary teaching technology. In 2025 a modular extension was added to provide two specialist autism classes, including a calming sensory room, a gross‑motor active room and a secure playground area, underscoring the school’s commitment to inclusive education. Facilities also include a well‑maintained sports area, a library, and dedicated spaces for arts and music, supporting a balanced curriculum that encourages personal confidence, respect for people and property, and responsible citizenship among its growing community of around 400 pupils.
History
The first formal National School in Killeshin was erected in 1821 as a Gothic‑style two‑storey stone building, succeeding earlier hedge schools in the area. After the original building was demolished in 1979, a new two‑room school opened on the main road in 1948, with further expansions in 1967 and 1981. In 2012 the school moved to a purpose‑built facility with 16 classrooms, becoming one of the most technically modern schools locally. Over the following decade pupil numbers rose to about 400, and in 2023 a new principal was appointed after three decades of leadership. In 2025 the school was granted two special autism classes, prompting the construction of a modular extension that includes a sensory room, a gross‑motor room and an enhanced playground.
Applying to Killeshin 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
View Killeshin National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Killeshin National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Killeshin National School
How many pupils attend Killeshin National School?
Killeshin National School has 380 pupils enrolled, 178 girls and 202 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Killeshin National School a DEIS school?
No. Killeshin 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 Killeshin National School?
Killeshin National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.