Maryboro National School
The Downs, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 96 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 52 girls, 44 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14838N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Maryborough National School is a Church of Ireland primary school situated on the Summerhill Campus in Portlaoise, sharing the site with a Gaelscoil and the Portlaoise Educate Together National School. The school’s ethos promotes the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social development of its pupils, providing a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore their faith alongside a broad, balanced curriculum. The modern campus, opened in 2015, offers contemporary classrooms, a purpose‑built outdoor garden and classroom, and facilities that support a vibrant “Active Flag” programme, including physical education, partnership projects and Green Schools initiatives. These resources enable the school to deliver a holistic education that values academic achievement, physical wellbeing and environmental stewardship, while fostering a strong sense of community among families and staff.
History
Maryborough National School was originally constructed in 1897 on Stradbally Road, Portlaoise, commemorated by a plaque on the front wall. The building, funded by a grant from the Commissioners of National Education, comprised two rooms for up to 100 children and a teacher’s residence. By 1897 the school accommodated 61 pupils under Principal Archibald Kane. Over the following decades the school endured periods of epidemic closures, received upgrades such as indoor toilets and central heating, and saw major renovations in 1964, an additional classroom in 1989, and a prefabricated unit in the playground in 2004. In 2015 the school relocated to a brand‑new facility on the Summerhill Campus, marking a new chapter in its long‑standing history.
Applying to Maryboro 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 Maryboro 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 Maryboro National School
How many pupils attend Maryboro National School?
Maryboro National School has 96 pupils enrolled, 52 girls and 44 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Maryboro National School a DEIS school?
No. Maryboro 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 Maryboro National School?
Maryboro National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.