Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille
Portlaoise, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 71 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 37 girls, 34 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18780F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Colmcille’s National School, Errill, County Laois, is a small rural primary school serving a co‑educational community of young learners. With a three‑teacher team, the school prioritises a warm, welcoming and Christian ethos, encouraging children to respect themselves, one another and the wider school community. The curriculum is designed to help pupils understand and engage with the world around them, fostering both academic progress and personal development. The school places a strong emphasis on extracurricular life, celebrating a rich tradition of sport, music and cultural activities that complement classroom learning. Recent investment in modular classrooms, installed in 2026, has expanded the learning environment, providing flexible, modern spaces that support varied teaching methods and group work. The school also values the partnership between teachers, parents and the local community, recognising their collective role in meeting the educational and spiritual needs of the children. Located on the outskirts of Portlaoise (R32 CK26), St Colmcille’s benefits from a tranquil rural setting while remaining accessible via public routes. The school’s motto, “To have a friend, you must be a friend,” reflects its commitment to nurturing supportive relationships and a caring school culture.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille has 71 pupils enrolled, 37 girls and 34 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille 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 Colmcille?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Colmcille has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.