Presentation Girls Maynooth
Maynooth, Kildare
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 621 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 00779U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Presentation Girls’ Primary School, Maynooth, is a Catholic primary school for girls from Junior Infants to Sixth class, serving a vibrant community of over 600 pupils. The school embraces the ethos of the Presentation Order, founded by Nano Nagle, and strives to create a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment where kindness, empathy and respect are woven into everyday life. A special “Busy Bees” class provides a nurturing pre‑school setting for children with autism, reflecting the school’s commitment to meeting diverse learning needs. The educational approach is holistic, offering a broad and balanced curriculum that stimulates a love of learning. Pupils benefit from well‑equipped classrooms, a modern library, a dedicated P.E. Hall, resource rooms and a Junior Assembly Hall, all part of the 2010 extension. Extra‑curricular programmes, after‑school activities and a Green Schools committee further enrich the school experience, encouraging personal development and environmental stewardship. A strong partnership with parents is fostered through clear communication, a Parents’ Association and a range of supportive policies. The school’s motto, “Aoibhinn Beatha an Scoláire” (School Days are Happy Days), encapsulates its aim to provide a happy, safe and stimulating environment where every child can reach their full potential.
History
The origins of Presentation education in Maynooth date back to 1823 when the Presentation Sisters opened a school at Charter House at the request of Abbé Anglade of Maynooth College, supported by the Duke of Leinster. The school expanded in the 1830s to become a national school and saw further building works in 1877 and 1922. In 1870 the sisters acquired Crom Abú Lodge, later used for post‑primary training, and purchased additional land in 1925. By the 1960s the original primary school was in disrepair, prompting the move to a new site on Carton Avenue; Crom Abú Lodge was demolished in 1970 to create a car park. The present school opened on 1 July 1971 as an eight‑classroom building, with an additional eight classrooms added in 1980. A major extension was completed in January 2010, adding three classrooms, four resource rooms, a new P.E. Hall, a two‑storey block with six classrooms and a Junior Assembly Hall. The first lay teacher arrived in 1961, the first lay principal was appointed in 2003, and the Presentation Sisters continued voluntary visits until 2017, maintaining the spirit of Nano Nagle’s vision.
Applying to Presentation Girls Maynooth
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 Presentation Girls Maynooth's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Presentation Girls Maynooth. 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 Presentation Girls Maynooth
How many pupils attend Presentation Girls Maynooth?
Presentation Girls Maynooth has 621 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Presentation Girls Maynooth a DEIS school?
No. Presentation Girls Maynooth 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 Presentation Girls Maynooth?
Presentation Girls Maynooth has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.