Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig
Monasterboice, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 172 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 77 girls, 95 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19223B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Saint Patrick’s National School is a co‑educational Roman Catholic primary school situated in the historic parish of Monasterboice, about 6 km north of Drogheda. The school provides an inclusive, supportive environment for both mainstream pupils and special‑needs classes, including dedicated autism provision. A strong partnership with parents and the wider community underpins a curriculum that balances academic rigour with moral development, nurturing values such as honesty, respect, civic responsibility and fairness. The school offers a broad range of subjects – Mathematics, English, Gaeilge, Music, Visual Arts, Science, History, Geography, Drama, SPHE and Religious Education – complemented by a rich extracurricular programme that includes swimming, Gaelic football, soccer, basketball, yoga, gymnastics and participation in local competitions. Facilities feature extensive playgrounds, a football field with a perimeter walkway, a large multipurpose hall used for PE, assemblies and concerts, and modern classrooms and learning‑support rooms added through recent building projects. The school’s commitment to health and activity is reflected in its recent Active Flag award.
History
The present school originated from the amalgamation of the Ballymakenny (founded 1847) and Fieldstown (founded 1881) schools, a recommendation made by Cardinal Conway in 1966. A three‑acre site was purchased for £300 and construction began in January 1968. The school opened in January 1970 with 84 pupils and four teachers, and was officially opened by Minister for Education Pádraig Faulkner in June 1970. Extensions were added in the mid‑1970s, and by 1988 the roll had risen to 245 pupils, prompting further classroom re‑configuration. Prefabricated buildings were introduced in 2007, and a major new building programme delivered three classrooms, learning‑support rooms and a purpose‑built PE hall between 2012 and 2013. In September 2022 a special class for autistic pupils was launched, followed by a second class in September 2024, reinforcing the school’s inclusive ethos.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig
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 Padraig. 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 Padraig
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig?
Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig has 172 pupils enrolled, 77 girls and 95 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig 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 Padraig?
Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.