Muire Naofa Castlecuffe
CLONASLEE, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 53 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 29 girls, 24 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17883K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castlecuffe National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the rural parish of Clonaslee, County Laois, and operates under the auspices of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The school provides a broad, inclusive curriculum for junior infants through sixth class, with a particular emphasis on supporting children with additional needs. A dedicated special class for children with autism was opened in September 2025, and the school employs three special‑education teachers and 3.5 special needs assistants, ensuring personalised learning pathways and a supportive environment for all pupils. The campus has developed significantly since its establishment in 1953. Originally a two‑teacher school, it was expanded to three classrooms in 2004 and, in September 2020, a state‑of‑the‑art classroom was added for the senior classes (5th and 6th). Modern facilities include specialised learning spaces, a well‑equipped classroom for the autism provision, and outdoor areas that showcase the local flora and fauna of the Sliabh Bloom region. The school’s vibrant Parent Association works closely with the Board of Management, fostering strong home‑school partnerships and contributing to community projects such as the St Patrick’s Day parade and the BLAST art programme. Castlecuffe National School also embraces environmental stewardship through its Green Schools programme and maintains a proactive approach to child protection and health safety, as reflected in its dedicated policies and risk assessments. These elements combine to create a nurturing, forward‑looking educational setting that balances academic rigour with holistic development.
History
- 1953: Founded as a two‑teacher national school. - 2004: Extension added, increasing the number of classrooms to three. - September 2020: Completion of a new, state‑of‑the‑art classroom for 5th and 6th classes. - September 2025: Introduction of a specialised class for children with autism, expanding the teaching team to six teachers (including three special‑education teachers) and 3.5 special needs assistants.
Applying to Muire Naofa Castlecuffe
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 Naofa Castlecuffe. 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 Naofa Castlecuffe
How many pupils attend Muire Naofa Castlecuffe?
Muire Naofa Castlecuffe has 53 pupils enrolled, 29 girls and 24 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Muire Naofa Castlecuffe a DEIS school?
No. Muire Naofa Castlecuffe 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 Naofa Castlecuffe?
Muire Naofa Castlecuffe has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.