Newtownmountkennedy Primary School
Wicklow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 368 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 178 girls, 190 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20278K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School is a co‑educational, Catholic‑patroned primary school serving the Newtownmountkennedy community. The school operates across three dedicated buildings – a Junior School for Infants to 3rd class, a Senior School for 4th to 6th class, and the St Joseph’s block which houses two of the four specialist autism classes. The campus is designed to support a broad range of learners, with dedicated facilities for mainstream and special‑needs education, and it participates in the Department of Education’s Band 2 DEIS programme, reflecting its commitment to equity and inclusion. The school day begins at 9.00 am, with junior and senior infants finishing at 1.40 pm and older pupils and autism classes concluding at 2.40 pm. An early‑close arrangement sees all classes finish at 1.40 pm on the second Wednesday of each month. A Home School Community Liaison scheme fosters strong partnerships between families, staff and the wider community, encouraging active parental involvement in the educational experience. Key features include four autism support classes, a clear timetable structure, and a supportive ethos centred on holistic development, guided by Catholic values and a focus on inclusive, high‑quality primary education.
History
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School was formed through the amalgamation of the former boys’ school, St Joseph’s National School, and the girls’ school, St Brigid’s National School, onto the current campus. The school operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. In 1998, two autism classes were introduced at St Joseph’s National School; the provision has since expanded to four autism classes within the present primary school.
Applying to Newtownmountkennedy Primary 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
View Newtownmountkennedy Primary School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Newtownmountkennedy Primary School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Newtownmountkennedy Primary School
How many pupils attend Newtownmountkennedy Primary School?
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School has 368 pupils enrolled, 178 girls and 190 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Newtownmountkennedy Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. Newtownmountkennedy Primary 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 Newtownmountkennedy Primary School?
Newtownmountkennedy Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.