Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain
Ashbourne, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 73 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 41 girls, 32 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17029S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Cianain is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in Cushinstown, Ashbourne, County Meath. The school operates under the patronage of the Bishop of Meath and delivers a curriculum that balances academic learning with the spiritual, social and emotional development of each pupil. Central to its ethos is the “Grow in Love” programme, which provides religious education rooted in Catholic doctrine while welcoming children of other faiths and promoting mutual respect and inclusivity. Daily life incorporates prayer, celebration of the liturgy and opportunities for students to prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The school community is small but well‑resourced, with approximately 93 children taught by a team that includes class teachers, a learning support teacher and a travelling resource teacher. The historic 1934 building has been modernised over the decades – electricity and mains water were introduced in the 1970s and subsequent extensions have created a comfortable learning environment. Facilities support a broad range of activities, from creative clubs and a school garden to sports and extracurricular programmes, fostering a nurturing atmosphere where pupils can thrive academically, creatively and socially.
History
Scoil Naomh Cianain was first registered as “Cushenstown School” in 1841. The original schoolhouse stood across the road from the present site until 1934, when the current two‑room building was erected and heated by open fires tended by the pupils. Electricity and mains water were only installed in the 1970s. In 1975 a Board of Management comprising teachers, the parish priest and parents was established, leading to extensive fundraising and improvements to the premises. Between 1867 and 2000 the school enrolled almost 1,200 pupils. Today the school continues to serve the local community with modern facilities and a strong Catholic ethos.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain
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 Naomh Cianain. 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 Naomh Cianain
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain has 73 pupils enrolled, 41 girls and 32 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Cianain has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.