Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa
Thurles, Tipperary
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 137 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 78 girls, 59 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15362S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Michael’s National School is a rural primary school serving the parish of Mullinahone in County Tipperary. The school provides a contemporary learning environment for around 137 pupils, supported by a dedicated team of teachers, special‑needs assistants and support staff. Its ethos centres on ensuring every child feels happy, safe and able to reach their full potential, with a strong emphasis on inclusive education, language support and personalised learning pathways. The campus has been continually modernised. Major refurbishments in 2003 added two new classrooms, a purpose‑built PE hall and additional ancillary accommodation, while a modular classroom was installed in 2023 to accommodate growing enrolments. Facilities include a well‑equipped classroom block, a spacious sports hall, and a kitchen that prepares free hot lunches in line with Healthy Ireland nutrition guidelines. Uniform is simple – a school‑provided tracksuit – reinforcing a focus on community and equality. The school day runs from 9.10 am to 3.00 pm, with structured breaks and a lunchtime service that caters for diverse dietary needs.
History
St. Michael’s N.S. was founded on its present site in 1902 as separate boys’ and girls’ schools with four classrooms linked by a locked door. In 1961 the school was rebuilt, adding a fifth classroom. The closure of Ballydonnell N.S. in 1966 led to an amalgamation, the unlocking of the connecting door and the introduction of mixed‑class teaching. A substantial €1.3 million extension and refurbishment in 2003, designed by Helen Toppin and carried out by Corbett Builders, modernised the original building, added two new classrooms, a PE hall and ancillary spaces. The most recent development in 2023 saw the addition of a modular classroom to further expand capacity.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa has 137 pupils enrolled, 78 girls and 59 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Michil Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.