Naomh Oliver Plunkett
Loughmourne, Monaghan
Key facts
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 255 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 129 girls, 126 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- Some subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19469K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the rural village of Tossey, Loughmourne, County Monaghan. Catering for children aged four to twelve, the school provides a nurturing environment where curiosity, creativity and kindness are central to everyday learning. The curriculum extends beyond traditional classroom teaching, encouraging pupils to ask questions, explore new ideas and develop their imagination, thereby building confidence and resilience for future challenges. A strong ethos of respect, fairness and care underpins the school’s approach, ensuring each child feels safe, supported and valued. The school’s facilities support a broad range of activities. With a dedicated autism class established in 2007 – the first of its kind in the south Monaghan area – and a team of 14 Special Needs Assistants, inclusive education is a key feature. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular programmes, including gymnastics, art competitions, science weeks with STEM kits, and community events such as bake sales and Halloween celebrations, fostering a vibrant community spirit. The campus, built in 1977, provides ample space for both academic and recreational pursuits, reflecting its commitment to holistic development.
History
St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School was built in 1977, replacing the former schools of Carrickatee, Aghmakerr, Kilkitt, Laggan and Laragh. In 2007 the school was invited by the Department of Education and Science to establish a dedicated autism class within the mainstream setting, becoming the sole provision for the south Monaghan area at that time. The class was officially launched by Most Reverend Liam S. Mc Daid, Bishop of Clogher, in June 2012.
Applying to Naomh Oliver Plunkett
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Naomh Oliver Plunkett. 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 Naomh Oliver Plunkett
How many pupils attend Naomh Oliver Plunkett?
Naomh Oliver Plunkett has 255 pupils enrolled, 129 girls and 126 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Naomh Oliver Plunkett a DEIS school?
No. Naomh Oliver Plunkett 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.
Does Naomh Oliver Plunkett teach through Irish?
Partly. Naomh Oliver Plunkett teaches some subjects through Irish.