Mercy Convent Primary School
Naas, Kildare
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 607 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 560 girls, 47 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15040T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, is a Catholic primary school that follows the Mercy Philosophy of Education, inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley. The school provides a holistic, values‑based curriculum that nurtures the spiritual, intellectual and social development of its pupils. While Junior and Senior Infants are now co‑educational, the school remains single‑sex (girls) from First to Sixth Class, reflecting its gradual transition to full co‑education. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe, caring environment where children are encouraged to reach their full potential in partnership with families. The school moved to a brand‑new, three‑storey campus in September 2025. The state‑of‑the‑art facility houses 32 mainstream classrooms, a double sports hall, a library and a range of support rooms. Outdoor provisions include a 3G astro‑turf pitch, a playground, soft‑play areas for infants, a sensory garden, a running track and plans for a grass sports field. Each classroom is equipped with modern IT resources such as interactive whiteboards, integrated storage and up‑to‑date computers, and the school benefits from a NextGenerationEU grant that supplied iPads and upgraded digital learning tools. With a diverse community of approximately 540 pupils representing 18 nationalities, the school celebrates multiculturalism and promotes inclusive learning. Its vision, “ONE”, underpins a commitment to academic excellence, personal growth and active participation in a wide range of extracurricular activities, ensuring pupils develop the skills and confidence needed for future challenges.
History
Mercy Convent Primary School was founded in 1839 by the Mercy Order of nuns, embracing the Mercy Philosophy of Education and the Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Originally a full‑stream school, it has evolved to become co‑educational in Junior and Senior Infants while retaining a girls‑only provision from First to Sixth Class. The adjoining Mercy Convent Secondary School (now St Mary’s College) was established in 1936. After many years in temporary accommodation, the school opened its new purpose‑built campus in September 2025, featuring modern classrooms, sports facilities and outdoor learning spaces.
Applying to Mercy Convent Primary 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 Mercy Convent Primary 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 Mercy Convent Primary School
How many pupils attend Mercy Convent Primary School?
Mercy Convent Primary School has 607 pupils enrolled, 560 girls and 47 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Mercy Convent Primary School a DEIS school?
No. Mercy Convent Primary 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 Mercy Convent Primary School?
Mercy Convent Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.