Kiltallagh National School
CASTLEMAINE, Kerry
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 21 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 13 girls, 8 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17161S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kiltallagh National School is a small, rural, co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Castlemaine, County Kerry. The school adopts an inclusive, child‑centred ethos that seeks to “nurture minds to think, hands to create and hearts to love”, providing a warm and supportive environment where each child’s individuality is celebrated. With a low pupil‑to‑teacher ratio, the school can offer personalised instruction, close monitoring of learning progress and strong relationships between pupils, staff and families. The school benefits from modern learning resources, including interactive touch‑screen whiteboards in every classroom, a rechargeable trolley of laptops, individual iPads for student use and a well‑stocked special‑education resource library. Outdoor facilities feature a playground with soft‑play tiles, a jungle gym swing, sand pit and a range of PE equipment. Additional provisions include a reliable Bus Éireann school‑bus service covering a wide catchment area, an after‑school care programme, and a free hot lunch scheme that provides nutritious meals prepared by a local caterer. Creative initiatives such as Buddy Reading, Lego Legends, mural projects and themed engineering challenges further enrich the curriculum and foster a vibrant school life.
History
Kiltallagh National School opened its doors on 6 September 1938 under the management of Rev. R.H. Thompson. Extensions were added in 1965 and 1976. It is one of only two schools in Kerry under Church of Ireland patronage, welcoming pupils of all faiths. Today the school operates a multi‑class environment with two class teachers, a special‑education teacher, a part‑time EAL teacher and support staff, educating 28 pupils across junior (infants and 1st–2nd class) and senior (3rd–6th class) rooms. The school provides daily transport from surrounding villages and an after‑school service for local children.
Applying to Kiltallagh 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 Kiltallagh 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 Kiltallagh National School
How many pupils attend Kiltallagh National School?
Kiltallagh National School has 21 pupils enrolled, 13 girls and 8 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kiltallagh National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Kiltallagh National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Kiltallagh National School?
Kiltallagh National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.