Rathlee National School
Sligo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 68 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 34 girls, 34 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16492N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rathlee National School is a small, rural primary school situated in the village of Rathlee, West Sligo, between Easkey and Enniscrone and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The school embraces a child‑centred ethos, guided by its motto “Moladh luadh agus cáineadh mall” (praise the early and correct the late), which underpins a holistic approach to learning that recognises each pupil’s individuality. Teaching is organised around mixed‑age class groups, with a strong emphasis on experiential activities such as cooking in Irish, craft projects for St Brigid’s Day, and geography investigations that bring global topics like Australian wildlife into the classroom. The school actively participates in national initiatives such as Green Schools and Active Schools, reflecting a commitment to environmental awareness and physical wellbeing. A vibrant school community is maintained through regular blog updates, a calendar of events for the 2025‑2026 academic year, and a range of awards that celebrate student achievement. Facilities include dedicated classroom spaces for junior and senior infants through fifth and sixth classes, a school hall for assemblies and performances, and outdoor areas that support gardening and outdoor learning. The school also provides comprehensive policies on safeguarding, anti‑bullying, cyber‑bullying, and data protection, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all pupils.
History
The first school in the village was erected in 1835, in the building that now serves as Rathlee's Star of the Sea Church. It had a single large room divided by a timber partition into separate sections for boys and girls. Each section had its own principal, and an assistant teacher too, making it in total a four-teacher school with about 150 children enrolled, though average attendance was 59. In 1926 this school was replaced by a new building on the current site, which had two large rooms, and the boys and girls were amalgamated. According to local accounts, the girls were upset for two days when boys began sharing their classrooms. Clooneenmore School also amalgamated with Rathlee, and as numbers later dropped the school became a three-teacher school. It was refurbished in 1989, with a classroom, staffroom and indoor toilets among the additions made. In 2005 a rise in pupil numbers meant Rathlee again had four teachers, and a portacabin was added to the school.
Applying to Rathlee 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
View Rathlee National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Rathlee National School. 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 Rathlee National School
How many pupils attend Rathlee National School?
Rathlee National School has 68 pupils enrolled, 34 girls and 34 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rathlee National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Rathlee National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Rathlee National School?
Rathlee National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.