Kilskyre Mixed National School
Kells, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 87 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 40 girls, 47 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01421F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilskyre Mixed National School is a small, rural Catholic primary school that caters for children of all abilities, including two dedicated ASD classes and a team of support assistants. The school follows a holistic educational philosophy, aiming to develop each pupil intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually within a caring, Christian environment. Learning is delivered through a blend of mainstream classroom teaching and specialised support, with a focus on fostering respect, tolerance and community spirit. The school community is vibrant, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities such as sport, music, gardening and participation in national programmes like Green Schools, the Active School Flag and the Blue Star initiative. These programmes enhance pupils’ wellbeing and encourage environmental awareness. The campus includes modern classrooms, resource rooms for learning support, a school garden and access to local sporting facilities, providing a well‑rounded setting for both academic and personal growth. Strong links with the Board of Management, Parents Association and the wider Kilskyre community underpin the school’s ethos. Regular communication through the website, newsletters and social media keeps families informed of initiatives, achievements and upcoming events, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines the school’s daily life.
History
Kilskyre National School opened in its present building in February 1971. After an early period with modest enrolment, the school grew to a peak of 115 pupils by 1989. Numbers later fell, reaching 39 pupils in 2007, prompting a revitalisation that saw the appointment of additional staff and the award of ‘Developing Status’ in 2008. Subsequent years brought steady growth, leading to the addition of a fourth classroom teacher in 2011 and a fifth in 2015. The school expanded its provision with the introduction of two ASD classes in 2023. Leadership changes included a new principal taking charge in November 2024. Today the school operates with four mainstream teachers, two support teachers, two ASD teachers and six school‑named assistants (SNAs).
Applying to Kilskyre 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Kilskyre Mixed 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 Kilskyre Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Kilskyre Mixed National School?
Kilskyre Mixed National School has 87 pupils enrolled, 40 girls and 47 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilskyre Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilskyre 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 Kilskyre Mixed National School?
Kilskyre Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by John M. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.