Scoil Mhuire
Kilkenny
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 261 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 119 girls, 142 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20492M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire NS is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the historic village of Mooncoin, County Kilkenny. It provides education for boys and girls aged 4‑12 and, in the 2022‑2023 academic year, catered for 279 pupils across eleven class teachers and four Special Educational Needs (SET) teachers. The school operates on two separate sites – a Junior campus for Junior Infants to 2nd Class and a Senior campus for 3rd to 6th Class – allowing age‑appropriate facilities and learning environments while maintaining a unified community ethos. The curriculum follows the Revised Primary Curriculum, emphasising a balanced development of knowledge, understanding and appreciation of both contemporary and historical contexts. A strong Catholic ethos underpins the school’s moral and ethical framework, yet it welcomes children of all faiths and promotes virtues such as tolerance, friendship, honesty, compassion and courage. Scoil Mhuire actively participates in national programmes including Green Flag, Active Flag, Health and Creative Schools, and has achieved recognition in Science and Technology awards, reflecting its commitment to health promotion, environmental awareness and innovative learning. Parental involvement is encouraged through an active Parent Association and a Board of Management that oversees school governance, safeguarding and anti‑bullying policies. The school also offers a hot‑lunch service and a range of extracurricular activities, fostering a supportive and vibrant community for its pupils.
History
Scoil Mhuire NS was established in September 2016 following the amalgamation of the former boys’ and girls’ primary schools in Mooncoin – Scoil Mhuire Lourdes BNS and Presentation Convent GNS. The new school operates under the patronage of the Archbishop of Ossory and serves the local community from two campuses (Junior and Senior). It continues the legacy of its predecessor schools while providing modern primary education to children aged 4‑12. The school is located in Mooncoin, a historic village in South Kilkenny, set in the valley of the River Suir, 10 km north of Waterford City and 48 km south of Kilkenny City.
Applying to Scoil Mhuire
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. 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
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has 261 pupils enrolled, 119 girls and 142 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire 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?
Scoil Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.