Obrennean National School
Tralee, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 209 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 109 girls, 100 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17646T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
O'Brennan National School (Scoil Bhreanainn) is a co‑educational primary school situated in the parish of Ballymacelligott, just off the N21 between Tralee and Castleisland. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while welcoming pupils of all faiths and none, fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, equality and diversity. Its educational philosophy is child‑centred, aiming to develop intellectual, physical, creative, social, emotional, spiritual and moral capacities through a balanced curriculum that follows the 1999 Primary School Curriculum and incorporates Irish language, music, sport and cultural traditions. The modern campus, opened in June 2012, provides eight spacious classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and computer stations, three dedicated learning‑support rooms, a well‑stocked library, a fully equipped computer suite, an art room, a sensory room and a large PE hall with an adjoining kitchen. Outdoor facilities include a playground, a soft‑play area and a basketball court. A broad range of extra‑curricular activities, such as basketball, football, tag rugby, hurling, drama, music lessons, choir and Irish dancing, complement the academic programme and promote pupil well‑being and community involvement.
History
O'Brennan National School first opened on 16 November 1868 in Tonreigh, Kielduff, with separate boys’ and girls’ sections taught by Mr James O’Shea and Ms Julia Clifford. After the original building became unsuitable, a new three‑classroom school was erected at Ballynahinch in 1949. The school expanded over the decades, amalgamating the small schools at Renagown and Maugha in 1969 and adding prefabricated classrooms in 1982, 2000 and 2005 to accommodate growing enrolments. A campaign for a purpose‑built facility began in 1998; following a GRD design approval in 2007 and successful fundraising, construction commenced after a 2011 contract. The school operated from temporary premises at Ballybeggan Racecourse in 2011, and the new state‑of‑the‑art building was completed in June 2012, offering eight classrooms, support rooms, a library, computer room, PE hall and sports courts. Leadership changes included principals Seamus O’Connor (from 1955), Elma Murphy (1994), Mike Sweeney (2008), Barry O’Leary (2017) and Michelle O’Brien (2020).
Applying to Obrennean 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 Obrennean 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 Obrennean National School
How many pupils attend Obrennean National School?
Obrennean National School has 209 pupils enrolled, 109 girls and 100 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Obrennean National School a DEIS school?
No. Obrennean National School 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 Obrennean National School?
Obrennean National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.