Loughmore National School
Templemore, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 86 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 34 girls, 52 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16933R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Loughmore National School is a vibrant, inclusive primary school serving the Loughmore community in County Tipperary. The school’s vision centres on fostering a caring, collaborative environment where every child is supported spiritually, morally, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. A strong emphasis is placed on wellbeing, neuro‑diversity and the development of a growth mindset, with programmes such as the anti‑bullying “Bí Cineálta” policy, a dedicated wellness room and the use of digital platforms (Seesaw, Aladdin) to keep families informed. Student voice is integral to school life, demonstrated through a Green School Committee, Student Council and a range of extracurricular activities including football teams and a Polytunnel project that supplies fresh vegetables to the on‑site cooperative cottage. The school benefits from excellent facilities spread across two yards for junior and senior pupils, a large 2.1‑acre playing field, a garden, a yard shelter, and a newly built wellness room. Its location offers rich cultural and natural heritage, being close to a Norman castle, an old mill, salmon weir, historic abbey ruins, fairy forts and the striking Devil’s Bit mountain. With a current roll of 87 pupils, including dedicated ASD classes, the school delivers a differentiated curriculum supported by graded readers and a whole‑school approach to the Sustainable Development Goals.
History
Loughmore’s educational roots trace back to the penal‑era hedge schools, with records of a 1754 visitation listing nine pupils under schoolmaster Edmund Dwyer. By the late 18th century, English reading, writing and arithmetic were central, as reflected in a 1788 parish advertisement for a teacher proficient in English. Throughout the early 19th century, several small schools operated in the parish, documented in 1824 Department of Education records. The British government’s 1831 funding initiative led to the establishment of the National School system; a 1832 application by Fr James Mullally and curates sought such funding, though the project was delayed until after 1835. Over the ensuing decades, Loughmore evolved from these modest beginnings into the modern national school it is today, retaining a strong community focus and a commitment to inclusive education.
Applying to Loughmore 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 Loughmore 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 Loughmore National School
How many pupils attend Loughmore National School?
Loughmore National School has 86 pupils enrolled, 34 girls and 52 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Loughmore National School a DEIS school?
No. Loughmore 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 Loughmore National School?
Loughmore National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.