Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh
Kilmacow, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 202 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 94 girls, 108 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16875G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Patrick’s National School, Strangsmills is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school serving the rural community of Kilmacow, South Kilkenny. The school provides a welcoming and inclusive environment where children of all religions, needs and abilities are encouraged to develop their intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual potential. Learning is centred on strong relationships between pupils and staff, with an emphasis on personalised support and a caring ethos that underpins everyday classroom practice. The school operates eight single mainstream classrooms together with three dedicated Special Education rooms, a staff room and offices for the principal and secretary. Access to the local community hall expands facilities for physical education, drama, assemblies, Mass and other extracurricular activities. Additional support is offered through three Special Education teachers and three Special Needs Assistants, and the school benefits from two bus services and links to after‑school programmes such as Little Sunshines and Bumblebees. The timetable runs from 9.00 am, with a short break at 11.00 am, lunch at 12.35 pm and staggered finish times for junior and senior classes.
History
The first school in the parish of Kilmacow was erected in 1834 in the neighbouring townland of Dunkitt, a two‑storey limestone building that housed separate classrooms for boys and girls. It operated until 1931 when it was superseded by the present St Patrick’s National School, opened on its current site with fifty boys and fifty girls enrolled. Since then pupil numbers have fluctuated; the school now educates 202 children across eight mainstream classrooms, three Special Education rooms and utilises the local community hall for a range of activities.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh
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 Padraigh. 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 Padraigh
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh has 202 pupils enrolled, 94 girls and 108 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh 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 Padraigh?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Padraigh has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.