Scariff Central National School
Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 142 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 74 girls, 68 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19366A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scariff Central National School is a Catholic primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe, offering a holistic education that balances spiritual, social and physical development within a strong Catholic ethos. The school follows the “new Curriculum” with a varied programme that incorporates religious instruction, health and personal social education (SPHE), a Healthy Eating Policy and a Green Schools Programme. It places a particular emphasis on inclusivity, providing grant schemes and support for pupils who might otherwise be unable to take part in extracurricular activities, and maintains robust child‑protection, educational‑needs and enrolment policies. The school benefits from modern facilities, including a state‑of‑the‑art computer system, whiteboards in every classroom, upgraded electrical wiring and a recently added building dedicated to special‑educational‑needs teaching. Recent renovations have refreshed roofs, windows, doors and floor coverings, creating a comfortable, centrally heated learning environment. A vibrant extracurricular programme supports hurling, camogie, athletics and music, with teams having competed at Croke Park and the University Sports Arena, reflecting the school’s strong community ties and the generous support of local clubs and parents.
History
The present school opened in September 1974 at Fossabeg, replacing the older Connacht Road school (opened 1906) as part of a national policy to amalgamate smaller schools. Its origins trace back to 19th‑century hedge schools in the Scariff area and the first formal National School in Tuamgraney (1831). The 1974 amalgamation brought together staff and pupils from the former Connacht Road school, as well as from Cooleenbridge, Clonusker, Mary Slattery and Bridget Cahill schools. Since opening, the school has expanded its accommodation with additional classrooms in the 1980s, a major renovation in 2000, a new SEN building in 2013/14 and continual upgrades to its electrical and ICT infrastructure.
Applying to Scariff Central 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 Scariff Central 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 Scariff Central National School
How many pupils attend Scariff Central National School?
Scariff Central National School has 142 pupils enrolled, 74 girls and 68 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scariff Central National School a DEIS school?
No. Scariff Central 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 Scariff Central National School?
Scariff Central National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.