Primary school

Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa

Mayo

Watercolour illustration of the Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa building, Westport
Illustration of Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa.

Key facts

  • DEIS
  • Mixed
Pupils enrolled
133 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
Girls and boys
56 girls, 77 boys
Ethos
Catholic
Teaching through Irish
No subjects through Irish
Roll number
20037L the Department of Education reference for this school

School details

Address
Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Location
Mayo
School type
Primary
Latest inspection reports
View on gov.ie

Location

About

Louisburgh National School is a mixed, six‑teacher national school situated in the picturesque west of Ireland, within the parish of Kilgeever and a short distance from the town of Louisburgh. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while warmly welcoming children of all denominations and none, fostering an inclusive community spirit. Its educational philosophy is centred on the holistic development of each pupil, aiming to nurture academic achievement alongside social, emotional, cultural, and physical growth. The school places a strong emphasis on celebrating and preserving the identity, history, folklore, traditions and customs of the local community, integrating these elements into the learning environment. A vibrant atmosphere encourages curiosity and joy, with initiatives such as participation in the National Children’s Choir and a recent Marine Environment Green Flag award highlighting its commitment to cultural enrichment and environmental stewardship. These programmes, together with a supportive and fun‑filled setting, aim to help every child reach their full potential.

History

In 1996 the separate boys’ and girls’ national schools in Louisburgh amalgamated to form a mixed school. Three years later, in 1999, pupils from Bouris National School joined the community. The institution was subsequently known as S.N. Pádaig Naofa, more commonly referred to as Louisburgh National School.

Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa

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 Naofa. 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 Naofa

How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa?

Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa has 133 pupils enrolled, 56 girls and 77 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.

Is Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa a DEIS school?

Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa 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 Padraig Naofa?

Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.