Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach
Graiguecullen, Carlow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 570 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 280 girls, 290 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19958C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Fiacc’s National School is a large urban, co‑educational Catholic primary school situated on the Killeshin Road in Graiguecullen, County Carlow. The school serves a diverse community of over 600 pupils of many nationalities and provides a broad curriculum that includes core subjects such as English, Maths, Science and SPHE, alongside a strong emphasis on digital learning, health and wellbeing, and inclusive education. A modern eight‑room building opened in 1991, complemented by a community‑funded sports hall and a renovated swimming pool, offers ample space for physical education and extracurricular activities. Recent extensions (2008) added further classrooms and dedicated learning‑support suites, bringing the total to 24 classrooms and a specialist Special Educational Needs/English as an Additional Language team. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian‑Catholic values, promoting compassion, respect and a commitment to excellence for all learners regardless of background. It follows a range of organisational policies covering attendance, assistive technology, online learning and safeguarding, and participates in the DEIS programme to support pupils at risk of disadvantage. A 2021 grant enabled the purchase of iPads and the development of a digital learning plan, ensuring that technology is embedded in everyday teaching and that every child can create and assess their own work.
History
The original boys’ school opened in 1825 and the girls’ school in 1875, both operating separately. In the 1940s the two were replaced by a modern eight‑room school named St Fiacc’s, still teaching boys and girls separately. The present school opened on a large green site on Killeshin Road in 1991, with a community‑built sports hall attached; the former building was later converted into the Graiguecullen swimming pool. In response to population growth, the school was extended in 2008 with additional classrooms and learning‑support suites, officially opened by Bishop James Moriarty. Today St Fiacc’s is a co‑educational urban Catholic school serving the Graiguecullen community with 605 pupils, 24 classrooms and a dedicated SEN/EAL team.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach
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 Fhiach'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 Fhiach. 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 Fhiach
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach has 570 pupils enrolled, 280 girls and 290 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach 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 Naomh Fhiach?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Fhiach has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.