Saint Colman's National School
JENKINSTOWN, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 20 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 11 girls, 9 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17200C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Saint Colman’s National School, Conahy, is a co‑educational Catholic primary school that prides itself on being a small, close‑knit community. The school is recognised as a Green School, a Digital School of Distinction, a Mindful School and an Active School, reflecting a holistic approach that balances academic learning with environmental stewardship, digital literacy, wellbeing and physical activity. A favourable pupil‑to‑teacher ratio enables personalised, one‑to‑one instruction and the use of multi‑grade classrooms that support the child‑centred, activity‑based curriculum of the “new curriculum”, encouraging discovery, thematic learning and integrated subjects. The campus is set on spacious grounds with a newly resurfaced yard, a large playing pitch, climbing frame, monkey bars and a well‑tended garden. Ample car‑parking and a safe crossing point provide secure access, while proximity to the parish hall and church facilitates easy use of facilities for sports, performances and mass. An after‑school service is offered for infants, and the school day runs from 9:00 am to 2:40 pm, with early drop‑off from 8:30 am by arrangement. Emphasis is placed on outdoor learning, yoga sessions, arts, music, drama and a strong Green School Committee that involves pupils from infancy to sixth class.
History
Conahy National School opened its doors in 1938 and has been a cornerstone of the Conahy parish for over 80 years, evolving into a well‑resourced primary school with modern facilities and a long‑standing commitment to community and Catholic education.
Applying to Saint Colman's National School
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 Saint Colman's National School. 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 Saint Colman's National School
How many pupils attend Saint Colman's National School?
Saint Colman's National School has 20 pupils enrolled, 11 girls and 9 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Saint Colman's National School a DEIS school?
No. Saint Colman's National School 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 Saint Colman's National School?
Saint Colman's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by A.-K. D.. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 4.0.