Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef
Cong, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 94 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 30 girls, 64 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13686L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Joseph’s National School, known locally as Cong National School, is a co‑educational primary school situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Cong in County Mayo, close to the historic Ashford Castle. Operating under the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam, the school provides education for children from infant through sixth class, fostering a supportive environment that values mutual respect and the wellbeing of every pupil. The school’s educational approach centres on learning through positive, experience‑based activities. A strong emphasis is placed on literacy development, with programmes such as the six‑week “Literacy Lift Off” intervention, and on scientific inquiry, demonstrated through regular STEM and science workshops. Environmental awareness is promoted through projects like the Hometree native‑tree workshop, while practical life skills are reinforced through fire‑safety sessions delivered by the local fire brigade. These varied experiences are complemented by a range of extracurricular activities that encourage creativity, teamwork and community involvement. Facilities include dedicated classroom spaces for each class level, access to outdoor learning areas, and resources that support both academic and personal growth. The school maintains an active blog and communication channels to keep families informed about events, projects and the school calendar, reinforcing a close partnership between staff, pupils and the wider community.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef
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 Iosef'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 Iosef. 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 Iosef
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef has 94 pupils enrolled, 30 girls and 64 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef 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 Iosef?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosef has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.