Scoil Mhuire Junior School
Newbridge, Kildare
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 333 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 165 girls, 168 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19550Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire Junior School is a Catholic‑faith‑based primary institution situated in Ballymany, Newbridge, County Kildare. It provides a nurturing environment for children of all abilities, creeds and backgrounds, aiming to develop each pupil’s intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social needs. The school’s vision stresses teamwork among the board of management, staff and parents to create a happy, safe and empowering setting where children feel secure and encouraged to explore their potential. The campus has expanded considerably since its inception, now offering a range of modern facilities. Recent building projects have added permanent classrooms and four dedicated learning‑support rooms that cater for additional learning support, international pupils and resource‑based work. A €2 million refurbishment in 2005 upgraded the school’s interior and outdoor environment, and further extensions provide larger offices, a staff room, prefabricated spaces for specialist teachers and a parents’ room for the Home‑School Liaison role. These facilities support a comprehensive curriculum delivered within a caring, inclusive community.
History
Scoil Mhuire Junior School was founded in 1976 under Principal Nan Carey, initially operating three classes in the senior school hall. In 1977 the school moved into its own building, expanding to eight classrooms within two years. The growth of Newbridge in 1983/84 saw four additional classrooms added, doubling the capacity to sixteen classes. In September 1997, after Carey’s retirement, Bryan O’Reilly became principal and oversaw further extensions, including larger offices, a staff room, prefabricated learning‑support spaces and a parents’ room for a Home‑School Liaison Teacher. The school welcomed President Mary McAleese in 1999. A €2 million refurbishment was completed in 2005, and in September 2009 a new building project added permanent space and four learning‑support rooms for learning support, international children and resource work.
Applying to Scoil Mhuire Junior 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 Mhuire Junior 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 Mhuire Junior 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 Mhuire Junior School
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire Junior School?
Scoil Mhuire Junior School has 333 pupils enrolled, 165 girls and 168 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire Junior School a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire Junior 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 Mhuire Junior School?
Scoil Mhuire Junior School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.