Realt Na Mara (C)
Meath
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 373 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18767N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Réalta Na Mara Girls National School is a Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in Donacarney, Mornington, Co. Meath. The school provides a nurturing environment where children of all denominations are welcomed and respected, and where daily prayer, Mass and the sacraments are observed in line with its patronage by the Bishop of Meath. The curriculum is underpinned by a mission that “models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ”, while also embracing modern pedagogical practices such as e‑learning, literacy improvement programmes and a strong emphasis on the arts. The campus combines state‑of‑the‑art classrooms with specialised facilities, including the Cuan na Réaltai special‑needs unit, a wildlife garden, and dedicated spaces for art displays and outdoor learning. Recent developments have introduced a summer programme for eligible pupils and upgraded digital resources, supporting a holistic approach to education that balances academic rigour with personal and spiritual growth. With enrolments now exceeding 800 pupils, the school offers a vibrant community atmosphere, active parent involvement, and a range of extracurricular activities that reflect the cultural and sporting life of East Meath.
History
The original Donacarney school opened in a red‑brick building in March 1873, serving a wide rural catchment. By 1963 the premises were too small, prompting the acquisition of a three‑acre site on the Bettystown road and the opening of a new school in February 1965. Rapid population growth in the 1990s led to extensive use of prefabricated classrooms. In 2012 a new, purpose‑built school was approved; construction and relocation were completed by summer 2014, and the modern facilities were officially opened on 5 December 2015 by Bishop Michael Smith. Since then enrolments have risen above 800, the special‑needs unit Cuan na Réaltai has been established, and the school has expanded its e‑learning, literacy, art and wildlife garden programmes.
Applying to Realt Na Mara (C)
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 Realt Na Mara (C)'s own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Realt Na Mara (C). 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 Realt Na Mara (C)
How many pupils attend Realt Na Mara (C)?
Realt Na Mara (C) has 373 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Realt Na Mara (C) a DEIS school?
No. Realt Na Mara (C) 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 Realt Na Mara (C)?
Realt Na Mara (C) has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.