Scoil Iosa
Ballyhaunis, Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 385 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 187 girls, 198 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20142I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Íosa Ballyhaunis is a co‑educational mainstream primary school serving children aged 4‑13 years. The school was created through the amalgamation of St Joseph’s Convent of Mercy Primary School and St Mary’s Boys National School and now operates from a single, renovated Abbeyquarter campus opened on 28 August 2012. With an enrolment of 331 pupils, the school employs twenty full‑time teachers and four special‑needs assistants, and shares part‑time hours with neighbouring Logboy NS and Carraig NS, fostering a collaborative community across the locality. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, welcoming children from over twenty nationalities and providing dedicated support for pupils with additional needs. Modern facilities include spacious classrooms, specialist learning areas and a well‑equipped assembly hall, all designed to support a balanced curriculum that blends academic learning with cultural and social development. Daily routines are clearly structured, with doors opening at 8:50 am, classes commencing at 9:15 am, and staggered finish times for junior and senior pupils, ensuring a safe and organised environment for all learners.
History
The origins of primary education in Ballyhaunis date back to 1820 when a town school was erected by public subscription, with Patrick Crane as its first teacher. Subsequent developments saw the school move to a thatched house in Knox Street in 1832 and later to a purpose‑built National School opposite the Friary cemetery in 1865. A new school building in Abbeyquarter was opened on 12 April 1880, followed by the construction of a teachers’ residence in 1887. In recent times, the two historic schools – St Joseph’s Convent of Mercy and St Mary’s Boys National School – merged, operating on two sites until the consolidated Abbeyquarter campus was inaugurated in 2012, creating a unified educational centre for the community.
Applying to Scoil Iosa
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 Iosa. 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 Iosa
How many pupils attend Scoil Iosa?
Scoil Iosa has 385 pupils enrolled, 187 girls and 198 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Iosa a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Iosa 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 Iosa?
Scoil Iosa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.