Scoil Bhríde Primary School
Edenderry, Offaly
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 480 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 241 girls, 239 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20267F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Bhríde Primary School is a co‑educational, fully‑vertical primary school serving the Edenderry community in County Offaly. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, offering a dedicated Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit and a range of specialist facilities that support children of all abilities. A core part of the school ethos is the *Bí Cineálta* policy, which promotes kindness, respect and anti‑bullying practices throughout every classroom. The purpose‑built campus, opened in February 2015, provides a modern learning environment with thirty classrooms, a purpose‑area, a PE hall, libraries, and specialised rooms including a science laboratory, ICT suite, gallery space, occupational therapy, speech and language, and a sensory room. Outdoor provisions feature ball courts, junior and senior play areas, bicycle shelters, playing pitches and landscaped gardens. High‑speed broadband, delivered under the national School Broadband Programme, underpins the school’s digital learning initiatives. Beyond academics, Scoil Bhríde encourages a vibrant extracurricular programme, such as the newly established singing club for junior pupils, and actively engages parents through surveys and open evenings, fostering a collaborative community centred on the holistic development of its learners.
History
In 2005 the Commission on School Accommodation recommended a new green‑field primary school for the Carbury side of Edenderry to meet rapid population growth. Following an application on behalf of Bishop James Moriarty, the Minister for Education and Science announced the recognition of Scoil Bhríde in April 2007. A temporary site was secured at Edenderry GAA, providing space for Junior Infants and an ASD unit serving both Offaly and neighbouring Kildare. The school opened in September 2007 and was officially blessed by Bishop Moriarty on 21 June 2008 with 29 pupils. Expansion continued with additional staff and facilities, and a permanent building was completed in February 2015, offering state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, specialist rooms and extensive outdoor amenities. The school now operates as a co‑educational, fully‑vertical institution with a strong commitment to inclusive education.
Applying to Scoil Bhríde Primary 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
View Scoil Bhríde Primary School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Bhríde Primary School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Bhríde Primary School
How many pupils attend Scoil Bhríde Primary School?
Scoil Bhríde Primary School has 480 pupils enrolled, 241 girls and 239 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Bhríde Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Bhríde Primary School 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 Bhríde Primary School?
Scoil Bhríde Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.