Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas
Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 120 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 63 girls, 57 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18660S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil San Nioclás is the sole primary school serving the rural parish of Windgap in south‑Kilkenny, situated in a picturesque village eight kilometres south of Callan. The school provides a mixed‑age, community‑focused environment for children in Junior Infants through Fifth Class, with a staff complement that includes five mainstream teachers, a special‑education teacher, two Special Educational Needs (SET) posts and two teaching assistants. The curriculum is delivered within a safe, supportive and disciplined setting, guided by a Board of Management mission to enable every pupil to reach their full potential. The school’s facilities have developed since its construction in 1963, with a major extension in 1975 to accommodate the amalgamation of the former Kilmacoliver National School, Tullahought. In 2008 a dedicated autism spectrum disorder (ASD) class was added, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive education and specialised support for pupils with additional needs. The school’s small size allows for personalised learning, close collaboration with families and a focus on holistic development, including wellbeing, extracurricular activities and community involvement.
History
Scoil San Nioclás was built in 1963 and extended in 1975 to incorporate the former Kilmacoliver National School, Tullahought, following an amalgamation. A special‑education class for pupils on the autism spectrum was introduced in 2008, expanding the school’s provision for inclusive education.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas
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 San Nioclas. 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 San Nioclas
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas?
Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas has 120 pupils enrolled, 63 girls and 57 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas 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 San Nioclas?
Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.