Kilsaran National School
Castlebellingham, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 161 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 70 girls, 91 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14207B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilsaran National School (Scoil Mhuire gan Smál) is a vibrant primary school situated just outside Castlebellingham, a ten‑minute drive from Dundalk in County Louth. The school caters for children from Junior Infants to Sixth class across seven mainstream classrooms and four special‑needs classes. Its educational ethos recognises the uniqueness of each child and seeks to develop academic, spiritual, physical, emotional, aesthetic, cultural and moral potential within a caring, Catholic‑based environment. The campus boasts modern interactive technology in every classroom, a state‑of‑the‑art sensory room, and extensive outdoor facilities. Pupils enjoy Liam’s Park – a large playground with a basketball court – a soft‑play area for the youngest learners, a full‑size football pitch and a scenic woodland walkway that can be explored in all weather. An on‑site Eche Preschool provides a seamless transition for younger children into the national school setting, reinforcing the school’s commitment to a holistic, lifelong learning journey.
History
The school was first established in 1893. Its main building was rebuilt in 1986, and a colourful extension was officially opened by President Michael D. Higgins in 2012, reflecting the growth of the school community over more than a century.
Applying to Kilsaran 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 Kilsaran 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 Kilsaran National School
How many pupils attend Kilsaran National School?
Kilsaran National School has 161 pupils enrolled, 70 girls and 91 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilsaran National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilsaran 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 Kilsaran National School?
Kilsaran National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.