Rathgormack National School
Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 118 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 54 girls, 64 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15963V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rathgormack National School is a mainstream, co‑educational Catholic primary school situated at the foot of the Comeragh Mountains in Rathgormack Village, County Waterford. The school provides a caring, inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. Teaching and support staff are dedicated to delivering high‑quality education through a balanced curriculum that promotes independent learning, friendship, and cooperation among pupils of all ages. The campus occupies a spacious site that has recently been extended and refurbished. Facilities include six modern classrooms, two cloakrooms, separate gender‑specific toilets for each class, a staffroom, a hall, and two specialised learning support rooms. Outdoor amenities feature three football pitches, a large astroturf area, a tarmac games zone refreshed in 2019, and a well‑tended garden with flowers, plants and apple trees. These resources support a vibrant programme of indoor and outdoor activities, fostering both academic and personal development.
History
The first Rathgormack school operated from 1846 to 1909, opening during the famine. A second school served the community from 1909 until 1973, featuring four classrooms, two halls and separate playgrounds. The current school building was erected in 1973, officially opened in January 1974, and now accommodates 124 pupils with modern facilities.
Applying to Rathgormack 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 Rathgormack 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 Rathgormack National School
How many pupils attend Rathgormack National School?
Rathgormack National School has 118 pupils enrolled, 54 girls and 64 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rathgormack National School a DEIS school?
No. Rathgormack 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 Rathgormack National School?
Rathgormack National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.