Scoil Iosagain
Thurles, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 124 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 56 girls, 68 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19677R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Iosagáin is a mixed, vertical rural primary school situated in the picturesque village of Upperchurch, County Tipperary. It provides five mainstream classes ranging from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, catering for children aged four to twelve. The school operates under the Catholic ethos of the Cashel and Emly Diocese, fostering a community‑focused environment that values both academic achievement and personal development. The school occupies a modern, state‑of‑the‑art building opened in 1984, featuring central heating, spacious classrooms and individual toilets in each room. Its extensive outdoor facilities include a large green area, tarmac‑lined yards, a basketball court and two playing pitches, enabling a broad programme of sport and outdoor learning. Emphasis is placed on a balanced curriculum that integrates the national curriculum with extracurricular activities, supporting pupils to develop confidence, creativity and a love of learning.
History
In September 1984 Scoil Iosagáin officially opened in Upperchurch following the amalgamation of three local schools – Roskeen, Milestone and Upperchurch – to form Upperchurch Central National School. The initiative, heavily supported by Minister for Education Richard Burke, resulted in a purpose‑built, centrally heated school with large classrooms and comprehensive facilities. At its inception the school served over 200 pupils and employed seven teachers, and it benefitted from a generous green area that included tarmac yards, a basketball court and two playing pitches.
Applying to Scoil Iosagain
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 Iosagain. 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 Iosagain
How many pupils attend Scoil Iosagain?
Scoil Iosagain has 124 pupils enrolled, 56 girls and 68 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Iosagain a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Iosagain 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 Iosagain?
Scoil Iosagain has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.