Rineen National School
Miltown Malbay, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 35 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 21 girls, 14 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 09425H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rineen National School is a rural primary school situated on the cusp of the Atlantic Ocean between Lahinch and Miltown Malbay in County Clare. Housed in a distinctive nineteenth‑century stone building constructed from locally quarried fine‑cut stone and modernised in 2008, the school provides a warm, welcoming and colourful environment for its pupils. The premises serve as the heart of the community, offering a supportive setting where children, families and local residents collaborate to achieve high standards across the curriculum. The school’s educational ethos centres on nurturing each child’s gifts and talents through a caring, mutually supportive community. With a modest roll of around 40 pupils, small class sizes enable personalised attention and a focus on inclusive learning, including dedicated support for special educational needs. A committed team of professional teachers and support staff, together with an active Board of Management, foster a positive attitude to learning and encourage pupils to reach their full potential in both academic and personal development.
History
Rineen National School was founded in 1869 on the Fitzgerald Estate and built from locally quarried stone, making it one of the few nineteenth‑century national schools still in everyday use for its original purpose. The school has endured through post‑famine hardship, the First World War, the Irish Civil War and the Second World War, continually serving the local community. In 2008 the historic building was updated to meet contemporary educational standards while retaining its unique architectural character.
Applying to Rineen 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 Rineen 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 Rineen National School
How many pupils attend Rineen National School?
Rineen National School has 35 pupils enrolled, 21 girls and 14 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rineen National School a DEIS school?
No. Rineen 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 Rineen National School?
Rineen National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.