Scoil Fionntan Naofa
Abbeyleix, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 60 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 35 girls, 25 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17489G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Fionntáin Naofa is a Catholic primary school in Shanahoe, a village about 6.5km from Abbeyleix in Co. Laois. The school has 62 pupils in three mainstream classrooms and a Sonas Class for pupils with autism. It operates under the patronage of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and states that it welcomes children of all faiths and none. The school holds Green School, Active School, Curious Minds STEM Platinum and Blue Star awards, and was the first school in Laois to receive a Nature Hero award at the Golden Eagle level. It is also a Vex Robotics school and a Heritage Keepers school with Burrenbeo Trust. Staff have been trained in Restorative Practices, and the school has received Amber Flags from Pieta House for promoting positive mental health. Fifth and sixth class pupils take part in the Crocus Project with Holocaust Education Trust Ireland. The school has a band that has been performing for over 30 years, and pupils take part in hurling and Gaelic football leagues. An independent before and after-school facility, Na Blátha Beaga, operates in the adjacent Shanahoe Community Hall.
History
Primary education in Shanahoe dates back over 200 years. In the early 19th century, a hedge school was run by Thomas Maloney, who charged pupils 2 shillings a quarter. His first formal school building was in the townland of Killeaney. In 1822, the school moved to the vestry of the chapel in Shanahoe, and pupils were taught in the chapel itself from 1828. A new school building was entered on 12th April 1830, predating the National School System by one year. A grant was given by the Board of National Education in 1839. Maloney retired in 1855. The 1830 building was used as a school until 1949, when the current Scoil Fionntáin Naofa was built by local contractor Martin Breen and officially opened on 25th September 1949. Extensions were added in 2004 and 2020.
Applying to Scoil Fionntan 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 Fionntan 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 Fionntan Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Fionntan Naofa?
Scoil Fionntan Naofa has 60 pupils enrolled, 35 girls and 25 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Fionntan Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Fionntan Naofa 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 Fionntan Naofa?
Scoil Fionntan Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.