Muire Na Mainistreach
Killarney, Kerry
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 167 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18049G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Muire na Mainistreach is a Roman Catholic boys’ national school serving pupils from 2nd to 6th class in the centre of Killarney. The school’s ethos is founded on the Presentation Brothers’ tradition of caring for the whole child, with a balanced programme that promotes academic achievement alongside a wide range of sporting, musical and artistic activities. Environmental stewardship is a core value, reflected in its active Green Schools programme and the close proximity to Killarney National Park, which provides ample opportunities for outdoor learning and ecological awareness. The present campus on New Road was opened in September 1958 and originally comprised six classrooms built by the Galvin Brothers. Over the decades the site has been expanded and modernised: an all‑purpose room and remedial classroom were added in 1980, a major refurbishment in 2009/10 introduced a new interior fit‑out, a basketball court and a rain‑water harvesting system – one of the few schools in the country to use this technology. Current fundraising aims to create two specialist‑needs classrooms, a multi‑sensory room and a purpose‑built hall, further enhancing the school’s capacity to support diverse learning needs.
History
In 1837 the Bishop of Kerry invited the Presentation Brothers to take charge of the boys’ school in Killarney, and under Brother Paul Townsend they began work in 1838. The original school, situated at Fair Hill, was poorly equipped until a grant from the National Board was secured in 1839. After several site proposals, a five‑acre plot at Falvey’s Inch was donated by the Morrough Bernard family and, with the Earl of Kenmare’s sponsorship, the new school opened on 7 January 1861. The brothers moved to the present New Road location in 1958; construction started in 1956 on land donated by the order, and the building, comprising six classrooms, was officially opened in September 1958. An all‑purpose room and remedial classroom were added in 1980, and a €500 000 refurbishment in 2009/10 modernised the interior, added a basketball court and installed a rain‑water harvesting system. Plans for a monument to mark the Presentation Brothers’ 175th anniversary were announced for 2013.
Applying to Muire Na Mainistreach
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 Muire Na Mainistreach. 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 Muire Na Mainistreach
How many pupils attend Muire Na Mainistreach?
Muire Na Mainistreach has 167 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Muire Na Mainistreach a DEIS school?
No. Muire Na Mainistreach 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 Muire Na Mainistreach?
Muire Na Mainistreach has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.