Kilmessan Mixed National School
Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 242 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 127 girls, 115 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 04210H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Kilmessan Mixed National School (also known as St Joseph’s) is a co‑educational, Roman Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Kilmessan Village. It serves approximately 230 pupils from Junior Infants through to 6th Class in a vertical school model, fostering continuity and peer mentorship across age groups. The school operates under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Meath and embraces a welcoming ethos that respects all religions and cultures while grounding its community life in Christian values. The educational approach prioritises a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural development of each child is nurtured. A strong emphasis is placed on literacy and numeracy, physical fitness, nutrition, gender equity and the promotion of the Irish language and culture. The school benefits from modern facilities, including interactive whiteboards funded by a 2021 EU‑backed grant aimed at reducing the digital divide, and a range of support staff comprising mainstream teachers, support teachers, inclusion support assistants and dedicated administrative personnel. Opening hours for Junior and Senior Infants are 9.00 am–1.40 pm.
History
The area’s educational roots trace back to several hedge schools, such as Connor’s Field and Ringlestown, where itinerant teachers like Mr O Reilly and Mr Sheridan taught children for a modest fee. In 1824 a stable housed a Catholic school for 78 pupils, and hedge schools persisted until May 1842. That year a new school building was erected by parishioners at a cost of £155, featuring separate classrooms for boys and girls and living quarters for the girls’ principal. By 1846 enrolments numbered 94 boys and 76 girls. Notable principals included Matthew Englishby (1858‑1888) at the boys’ school and the youthful Christina Reilly (1895‑1905) at the girls’ school. The school underwent repairs in 1908, using the parochial hall, and was rebuilt in 1926 with new leadership. In 1945 the boys’ and girls’ schools amalgamated under principal Brian Fleming. A parents’ council was formed in 1993, the same year a new school (St Joseph’s) was sanctioned, officially opening in 1995. President Patrick Hillery visited in 1982. Subsequent principals served from the late 1970s through to the present, with major fundraising in 2011‑12 securing three acres of land for future expansion. The school continues to evolve under current leadership.
Applying to Kilmessan Mixed 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 Kilmessan Mixed 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 Kilmessan Mixed 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 Kilmessan Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Kilmessan Mixed National School?
Kilmessan Mixed National School has 242 pupils enrolled, 127 girls and 115 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilmessan Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilmessan Mixed 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 Kilmessan Mixed National School?
Kilmessan Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.