Our Lady's National School
Tourlestrane, Sligo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 40 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 21 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20385L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady’s National School, Banada, is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the tranquil village of Tourlestrane, County Sligo. The school caters for children from Junior Infants through to Sixth class and includes three dedicated special classes for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rooted in a Catholic ethos while embracing a multicultural learning community, the school promotes an atmosphere of inclusion, respect and tolerance. A dynamic and caring staff team takes a personal interest in every pupil, encouraging the development of a wide range of skills and talents. The curriculum is complemented by a strong focus on holistic development. Each year all pupils take part in a six‑week swimming programme designed to build confidence and competence in the water, while a six‑week dancing programme, delivered in partnership with Jiving Juniors, culminates in a school concert that showcases student talent and fosters peer support. The school also offers a range of extracurricular activities and a supportive before‑and‑after‑school service, reinforcing its commitment to providing a comprehensive, enriching education.
Applying to Our Lady's 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 Our Lady's 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 Our Lady's National School
How many pupils attend Our Lady's National School?
Our Lady's National School has 40 pupils enrolled, 21 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Our Lady's National School a DEIS school?
No. Our Lady's 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 Our Lady's National School?
Our Lady's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.