Leitrim Mixed National School
Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 220 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 104 girls, 116 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01125B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s National School, Leitrim Village, is a mixed primary school serving the local community and a growing multicultural population of four to five nationalities. The school provides a broad, inclusive curriculum supported by eleven full‑time teachers, including specialist staff for special education and English as an Additional Language. Small class sizes and dedicated Special Needs Assistants ensure personalised learning, while the Intercultural Programme encourages pupils to explore and respect diverse cultures. The campus has been progressively modernised since 2002. Refurbishments introduced a link‑corridor for safe movement, a cleared school hall, and a series of additional classrooms – a prefab unit in 2010, a new classroom and staffroom in 2011, and further classroom extensions completed in 2015. Sporting facilities have been enhanced with a €50,000 Aldi Play Rugby grant. The school’s colours are yellow and purple, and the uniform reflects a traditional yet practical design. With an enrolment of 213 pupils (September 2020), the school offers a supportive environment that balances academic rigour with community spirit and cultural awareness.
History
The first National School in Leitrim opened in 1835 with two teachers, the second acting as a monitor. In 1851 the La Touche family built the Model School, the area’s first post‑primary institution, to provide agricultural education. The original 1835 school was replaced and relocated behind the old building in 1972 on land donated by the Meehan family; it was designed for four teachers and resulted from the amalgamation of Kiltoghert N.S. and Leitrim N.S.
Applying to Leitrim 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 Leitrim 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 Leitrim Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Leitrim Mixed National School?
Leitrim Mixed National School has 220 pupils enrolled, 104 girls and 116 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Leitrim Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Leitrim 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 Leitrim Mixed National School?
Leitrim Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.