Presentation Primary School
Portarlington, Laois
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 496 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 489 girls, 7 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15556I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Presentation Primary School is a Catholic primary school in Portarlington that delivers a holistic education rooted in the Presentation ethos. The school’s mission is to nurture each child’s spiritual, intellectual and personal development, placing respect, care and inclusiveness at the centre of daily life. A strong emphasis is placed on prayer and meditation, the appreciation of creation and the environment, and the cultivation of a sense of awe and gratitude. The curriculum is complemented by programmes that promote cultural and religious diversity, encourage students to reach their full potential and develop a compassionate response to injustice in the wider world. The school’s facilities have evolved from the original 19th‑century convent wing to a modern campus that includes a spacious assembly hall, dedicated classrooms, a refectory, a chapel and well‑maintained garden and sports fields. Extra‑curricular provision encompasses a range of sports, music, art and media activities, allowing pupils to explore talents beyond the core curriculum. The community ethos is reinforced by close collaboration between staff and families, creating a caring and secure atmosphere where children feel free to exercise their God‑given gifts.
History
The Presentation Sisters have been present in Portarlington for 152 years. The first foundation was in 1844 when Mother Mary Magdalen Breen and two sisters arrived, but the community withdrew after two years. In 1854, Mother Mary Angela Maher re‑established the convent with the support of local benefactors, receiving the house and grounds from Fr Terence O’Connell. The convent was blessed on 1 October 1854 and a schoolroom opened on 16 October 1854 with six pupils. A purpose‑built school wing was begun in 1855, and the new school opened on 21 January 1856 enrolling 100 children. Over the following decades the school expanded its facilities, introduced a broad curriculum including drawing, music and French, and survived challenges such as a fire in 1867. Major building works in 1906 added a new entrance hall, cells, refectory and modernised heating, and the school continues to serve the local community to the present day.
Applying to Presentation 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Presentation Primary 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 Presentation Primary School
How many pupils attend Presentation Primary School?
Presentation Primary School has 496 pupils enrolled, 489 girls and 7 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Presentation Primary School a DEIS school?
No. Presentation Primary 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 Presentation Primary School?
Presentation Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.