Scoil Mhuire
Abbeyleix, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 269 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 138 girls, 131 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19750B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire is a co‑educational Catholic primary school serving the town and parish of Abbeyleix. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, the school provides a broad, balanced curriculum that incorporates the Grow in Love religious programme while welcoming pupils of all faiths and none. The ethos is rooted in inclusion, positive reinforcement and a strong sense of belonging, guided by core beliefs such as “God is family and so are we” and “Every day is a learning day”. The school operates from a modern campus that includes a state‑of‑the‑art building, Naomh Bríd, which houses four dedicated autism classes for 24 children from the local area. With a staff complement of 20 full‑time teachers and 12 special‑needs assistants, the school offers robust support for a wide range of abilities. Recent EU‑funded grants have upgraded ICT equipment, narrowing the digital divide and enhancing digital learning. Environmental stewardship is also a priority, reflected in active Green Schools initiatives and a vibrant school calendar that celebrates community events, sports, and cultural activities.
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 269 pupils enrolled, 138 girls and 131 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Mhuire 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 Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.