Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf
Sligo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 241 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 106 girls, 135 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20122C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf is a co‑educational primary school serving the Collooney community, operating on two adjoining sites that were originally the separate boys’ and girls’ national schools. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that incorporates both academic learning and holistic development, with dedicated provision for pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through a specialised classroom and sensory room. Modern extensions have added six new classrooms, an additional ASD classroom, and ancillary spaces, creating a unified campus that supports seamless transition from junior to senior classes. The campus boasts a range of facilities designed to enhance learning and wellbeing, including an all‑weather astro‑pitch developed with funding from the Sports Capital Fund, a landscaped Green Area, and specialised spaces for play therapy, music generation, choir, and Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) activities. The school actively participates in national initiatives such as the Active Flag, Amber Flag, and Green Schools programmes, reflecting its commitment to health, safety, and environmental stewardship.
History
Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf was formed in 2014 through the amalgamation of St Joseph’s Boys National School (opened 1952) and Mary Immaculate Girls National School (opened 1928). The merger created a senior school on the former boys’ site and a junior school on the former girls’ site, initially overseen by Mr Shane O’Meara. Subsequent developments included new classroom extensions, the conversion of prefabricated units for ASD provision, and the construction of a substantial €2.3 million extension completed in April 2023, which will eventually bring all pupils onto a single site. Further expansion plans for three additional classrooms were approved in 2024. Key historical figures include principals Mr Shane O’Meara (2014) and Mr Paul Colreavy (from September 2018).
Applying to Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf
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 Mhuire Agus Iosaf. 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 Mhuire Agus Iosaf
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf?
Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf has 241 pupils enrolled, 106 girls and 135 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf 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 Mhuire Agus Iosaf?
Scoil Mhuire Agus Iosaf has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.