Knockerra National School
KILRUSH, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 17 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 9 girls, 8 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18327I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Knockerra National School is a small, mixed‑gender primary school situated in Kilrush, County Clare. The school operates a two‑room system – a Junior Room for younger pupils and a Senior Room for the older classes – allowing for a close‑knit community where children receive personalised attention and support. The curriculum is enriched with a wide range of activities that extend beyond the core subjects, including interactive lessons in digital safety, hands‑on science projects such as mini‑garden creation, and regular physical‑education sessions that focus on fundamental movement skills and athletics. Creative arts are also a key feature, with pupils engaging in fabric and fibre design, painting, and digital storytelling using tools like Book Creator. A strong emphasis is placed on the social and emotional development of pupils. The school promotes inclusion and kindness through initiatives such as the Buddy Bench and the “Bí Cineálta” (Be Kind) programme, and it maintains robust safeguarding and anti‑bullying policies. Regular community links, such as visits to Clare County Council and participation in national events like Safer Internet Day, help children develop a sense of citizenship and digital responsibility. The school’s ethos is underpinned by a commitment to a safe, supportive, and stimulating learning environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity and confidence in every child.
Applying to Knockerra 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Knockerra 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 Knockerra National School
How many pupils attend Knockerra National School?
Knockerra National School has 17 pupils enrolled, 9 girls and 8 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Knockerra National School a DEIS school?
No. Knockerra 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 Knockerra National School?
Knockerra National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.