Newtown National School
Abbeyknockmoy, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 172 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 96 girls, 76 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20280U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Newtown National School is a Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam, situated in the rural parish of Abbeyknockmoy, 18 miles east of Galway city. The school serves children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, operating a structured timetable that provides a longer day for senior pupils (9:05 am‑2:45 pm) and a slightly shorter session for the infant classes (9:05 am‑1:45 pm). The learning environment is designed to be safe, welcoming and supportive, encouraging pupils to develop confidence and a love of reading, whilst fostering strong community values. A broad range of extra‑curricular activities enriches the curriculum, including music lessons, basketball, football, hurling, camogie, handball, chess and table‑tennis. The school benefits from well‑stocked classroom libraries, particularly in the Junior Infants to Second Class rooms, and dedicated spaces for sports and creative pursuits. Parents are regarded as vital partners; the active Parents Association collaborates closely with the school on policy development, fundraising and the organisation of events that enhance facilities and resources. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, integrating pastoral care, health and safety policies, and a commitment to safeguarding. Regular newsletters, community campaigns such as the Abbeyknockmoy Road Safety initiative, and a vibrant student council further reinforce a culture of engagement, responsibility and pride among pupils and families.
Applying to Newtown National School
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 Newtown National School. 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 Newtown National School
How many pupils attend Newtown National School?
Newtown National School has 172 pupils enrolled, 96 girls and 76 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Newtown National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Newtown National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Newtown National School?
Newtown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.