N Micheal Agus Padraig
Cootehall, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 156 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 75 girls, 81 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19720P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Michael’s & St. Patrick’s National School (Cootehall N.S.) is a rural Catholic primary school situated on the townland of Clegna, close to the village of Cootehall. Set against views of the Boyle River and the Arigna Mountains, the school embraces a Catholic ethos that seeks the full and harmonious development of each pupil – intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually – and encourages a living relationship with God and with others. Its educational approach is broad and balanced, offering a modern, progressive curriculum that values both academic achievement and social development. The school campus comprises six classrooms, a multi‑purpose room used as a Special Educational Needs (S.E.T.) space, and a playschool facility operating since 1996. Extensive grounds include a garden established in 2002, painted games, and a redeveloped sports field that has been drained, levelled and reseeded. A new playground, opened by President Mary McAleese in 2010, provides safe outdoor space for the children. The curriculum covers Irish, English, mathematics, science, art, drama, geography, history, SPHE and Green Schools initiatives, and extracurricular programmes such as tin‑whistle lessons for junior pupils.
History
The school was officially opened in 1980 following the amalgamation of three local schools – Hollymount N.S., Cootehall N.S. and Knockvicar N.S. – on a site built in 1979. Since its foundation the school has expanded its facilities, adding a multi‑purpose S.E.T. room, a playschool, a garden, upgraded sports fields and a new playground opened in 2010. These developments reflect the school’s commitment to providing a modern, rural learning environment while preserving its community roots.
Applying to N Micheal Agus Padraig
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 N Micheal Agus Padraig. 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 N Micheal Agus Padraig
How many pupils attend N Micheal Agus Padraig?
N Micheal Agus Padraig has 156 pupils enrolled, 75 girls and 81 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is N Micheal Agus Padraig a DEIS school?
No. N Micheal Agus Padraig 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 N Micheal Agus Padraig?
N Micheal Agus Padraig has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.