Maynooth Boys National School
Maynooth, Kildare
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 595 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17341U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Maynooth Boys’ National School is a large, all‑boys Catholic primary school situated on Moyglare Road on the edge of Maynooth town centre. The school serves over 600 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class, with three classes at each level and two dedicated ASD classrooms in the Croí na Coille unit for children on the autism spectrum. The ethos is firmly rooted in Christian values and a holistic, child‑centred approach that nurtures academic, social, emotional and physical development. The campus was completely redeveloped in November 2022, when a bright, spacious three‑storey, 24‑classroom building opened on the former playground site. The state‑of‑the‑art facilities include modern classrooms, specialist learning spaces, a sports football pitch and a range of resources that support both the national curriculum and a wide programme of extra‑curricular activities. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, encouraging each pupil to develop confidence, talent and a sense of community while respecting Irish heritage and the wider world.
History
The original St Mary’s Band Hall on Pound Street was constructed in 1775 as a Roman Catholic church and later became the Boys’ National School after a new church was built in 1840. In 1943 a purpose‑built two‑room school opened on Moyglare Road, overseen by a new principal from Tuam. The school operated as a lay Secondary Top from the late 1950s until 1971, allowing pupils to continue to the Leaving Certificate. In 1976 the school expanded from five to sixteen classrooms to accommodate rapid town growth, with a further extension added in 2010. In November 2022 the school moved into a brand‑new three‑storey, 24‑classroom building on the site opposite the old premises.
Applying to Maynooth Boys 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 Maynooth Boys 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 Maynooth Boys National School
How many pupils attend Maynooth Boys National School?
Maynooth Boys National School has 595 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Maynooth Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. Maynooth Boys 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 Maynooth Boys National School?
Maynooth Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.