Rath National School
Ballybrittas, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 194 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 103 girls, 91 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13741Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rath National School, situated in Rathronshin, Ballybrittas, Co. Laois, is a Catholic primary school that prides itself on offering a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment for children from early years through to senior classes. The school’s ethos centres on fostering a positive attitude to learning, encouraging each pupil to discover and develop their individual gifts and to reach their full potential. A strong sense of community underpins everyday life, with regular celebrations of Catholic traditions, such as Catholic Schools Week, and events that involve families and local supporters. The curriculum is delivered across a range of classes, from the Naíonáin (nursery) provision for the youngest learners to the Junior and Senior ARC (Autism Resource Centre) for students with additional needs, reflecting an inclusive approach to education. Facilities include dedicated classrooms for each year group, specialised resources for the ARC, and spaces that support both academic and extracurricular activities. The school maintains an active communication channel with parents through newsletters, a regularly updated website and a presence on social media, ensuring that families stay informed about school life and upcoming events.
Applying to Rath 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 Rath 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 Rath National School
How many pupils attend Rath National School?
Rath National School has 194 pupils enrolled, 103 girls and 91 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rath National School a DEIS school?
No. Rath 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 Rath National School?
Rath National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.