Redwood National School
Lorrha, Tipperary
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 32 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 8 girls, 24 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17244W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Set in countryside off the Birr to Portumna road beside Redwood Castle, this small Catholic primary school in Lorrha, Co. Tipperary has around 32 pupils and DEIS status. It is a three teacher school, with two mainstream classes divided into a junior room and a senior room, supported by an additional education teacher and two special needs assistants. Classes start at 8.50am, with infants finishing at 1.30pm and older pupils at 2.30pm. Hurling and Gaelic football are played competitively at under 13 level with a club coach. Science and maths work is pursued through the Discover Science and Maths Awards, and the school takes part in Farm Safe Schools, Green Schools, the Active School Flag and the Digital Schools Award. Pupils have learned German through the Say Yes to Languages programme. Pupils write for junior and senior room blogs on topics from local history to natural science. Charitable activity includes the Team Hope shoe box appeal and a yearly clothing collection. First Holy Communion and Confirmation are celebrated in the local churches.
History
Pupils researching the history of schooling around Redwood recorded that the national school was built in 1939, and that an earlier school building at Kilmurry dated from 1926. Before that, part of Redwood House served the school: the building held 15 rooms over two storeys, with two occupied by the school mistress and one used as a classroom, and it closed in 1920. Five priests were educated at the Redwood school. The nearby Redwood Church was built in 1850 and holds a Mass Rock. Redwood Castle, beside the school, was built by the Normans, burnt during the Cromwellian period and rebuilt in 1979.
Applying to Redwood 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 Redwood 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 Redwood National School
How many pupils attend Redwood National School?
Redwood National School has 32 pupils enrolled, 8 girls and 24 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Redwood National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Redwood 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 Redwood National School?
Redwood National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.