Naomh Seosamh
Drogheda, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 293 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 132 girls, 161 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18069M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Joseph’s National School (Mell N.S.) – also known as Naomh Seosamh – is a vibrant primary school situated on Mell Lane in County Mayo. The school prides itself on a whole‑child approach, nurturing intellectual, moral, aesthetic, social and spiritual development. Its mission is to create a supportive learning environment where every pupil is encouraged to reach their full potential, with an emphasis on happiness, high standards of work and behaviour, and strong community values. Parents are welcomed at any time, though appointments are preferred to ensure minimal disruption to classroom learning. The school operates from a modern, state‑of‑the‑art building completed in 2011, offering contemporary classrooms, specialist facilities and indoor toilets. A dedicated Green School Committee promotes environmental awareness through a range of activities, and the school maintains robust health and safety frameworks, including a Covid‑19 response plan and risk assessment policy. These features combine to provide a safe, inclusive and forward‑looking setting for primary education in the local community.
History
The earliest recorded reference to a school in Mell appears in Griffith’s Valuation of 1854. The original school was housed in the church. In 1957 a new, then‑state‑of‑the‑art school was constructed, comprising three classrooms, two cloakrooms and indoor toilets. The present purpose‑built facility on Mell Lane was erected between 2010 and 2011, and the school moved into the new premises in November 2011.
Applying to Naomh Seosamh
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 Naomh Seosamh. 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 Seosamh
How many pupils attend Naomh Seosamh?
Naomh Seosamh has 293 pupils enrolled, 132 girls and 161 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Naomh Seosamh a DEIS school?
No. Naomh Seosamh 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 Naomh Seosamh?
Naomh Seosamh has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.