Presentation Primary School
Thurles, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 247 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 176 girls, 71 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19874T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Presentation Primary School, Thurles is a co‑educational, urban Catholic primary school set in a tranquil, landscaped campus. The school provides a safe environment surrounded by lawns, gardens and a range of sports amenities, allowing children to learn and play in a pleasant, open setting. Classrooms are large, bright and well‑equipped, featuring interactive whiteboards that support a modern, technology‑enhanced curriculum. Additional specialist spaces include a spacious school hall, an art room, a library and well‑maintained playgrounds, all designed to foster creativity and active learning. Beyond the core curriculum, the school offers a rich programme of extracurricular activities. Pupils can take part in speech and drama, basketball, camogie, Irish dancing, karate, cooking and a variety of after‑school clubs such as Clever Clogs and Busy Bees. A notable initiative is the Roundabout Music Programme, which provides instrumental tuition in violin, cello, French horn, trumpet and clarinet, with instruments loaned for home practice. These opportunities, together with strong community involvement and fundraising support, aim to develop each child’s confidence, talent and sense of belonging.
History
The Presentation Order was founded by Nano Nagle in 1775, and the first Presentation convent and school in Thurles opened in early 1817 at Stradavoher under Margaret Cormack. Later that year the school moved to Cathedral Street, occupying former Christian Brothers premises. In 1824 the community relocated to a new convent, the oldest part of today’s building. A purpose‑built primary school was opened and blessed in 1862, serving the town for almost a century. The current school building, costing over £100,000, was blessed by Archbishop Kinane in May 1957 and remains one of the finest primary school facilities in the country. The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007, marking 190 years of Presentation education in Thurles with an anniversary garden, murals and a Mass of Thanksgiving.
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 247 pupils enrolled, 176 girls and 71 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 mixed primary school.