Loughguitane National School
Muckross, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 90 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 42 girls, 48 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 10049M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Loughguitane National School is a co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants through to 6th class. Situated in the scenic Muckross area, just a five‑minute drive from Killarney, the school has been a cornerstone of the local community for over 140 years. It offers a holistic education that balances academic learning with sport, music and the arts, aiming to develop well‑rounded individuals who are prepared for the next stage of their education. The school provides modern facilities, including a computer for each pupil, a dedicated resource room for indoor activities such as drama and music, and a spacious outdoor play area featuring a basketball court and an all‑weather astro‑turf football field. Additional support is available for children with special educational needs through a learning support teacher and a resource teacher. Recent achievements include the award of a 4th Green Flag for environmental initiatives and recognition as a Health Promoting School for its focus on healthy eating and hygiene. Loughguitane National School fosters a vibrant partnership between pupils, parents and staff, maintaining regular communication through parent‑teacher meetings and child journals. The school’s ethos promotes respect, self‑esteem and community spirit, ensuring that each child enjoys a happy, productive day of learning.
History
Founded in 1870, Loughguitane National School retains its original front classroom building, with later extensions providing additional rooms. The school has educated successive generations of families in the Muckross area, often serving children whose parents and grandparents also attended. It has long acted as a focal point for the locality, hosting evening activities such as meetings of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, and is regarded with pride by the surrounding community.
Applying to Loughguitane 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 Loughguitane 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 Loughguitane National School
How many pupils attend Loughguitane National School?
Loughguitane National School has 90 pupils enrolled, 42 girls and 48 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Loughguitane National School a DEIS school?
No. Loughguitane 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 Loughguitane National School?
Loughguitane National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.