Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain
Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 621 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 331 girls, 290 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19486K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Declan’s National School is a co‑educational, Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in the rapidly expanding town of Ashbourne. It serves roughly 620‑650 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class and employs over 40 staff members, including a dedicated team of special‑education teachers. The school welcomes children of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive community where every pupil is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The learning environment combines traditional values with modern resources. Recent refurbishments have produced a spacious, well‑stocked library for both junior and senior sections, and the school embraces digital learning to support contemporary curricula. A strong emphasis is placed on extra‑curricular activities, with pupils participating in athletics, basketball, swimming, Gaelic football and a long‑standing choir programme. Facilities have been expanded in recent years to include four new classrooms, a larger staff room, specialised special‑education rooms, upgraded yard areas, a one‑way staff car park and landscaped exteriors, all contributing to a safe and stimulating setting for holistic development.
History
A 1836 survey recorded five schools in the parish, leading to the establishment of a national school under the Education Act in the 1830s, initially led by Mr O’Brien and rented from local landowner Mr Bourne. In 1842 Mrs O’Brien joined as his assistant, and a girls’ school opened in 1848 under her leadership. Following the construction of a new church in 1889, the two schools were merged into a single institution. Patrick Geraghty served as principal for 44 years until 1934. A new school building opened in 1953, expanding further in the 1960s. Under Con Keohane’s principalship from 1966, the school grew to a 16‑teacher facility in April 1977, located in Garden City. Subsequent developments included additional classrooms and staff facilities in 2014‑15, new special‑education rooms and exterior works in 2017‑18, and the appointment of Cian Kearins as principal in September 2018.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain
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 Náisiúnta Deaglain. 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 Náisiúnta Deaglain
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain?
Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain has 621 pupils enrolled, 331 girls and 290 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain 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 Náisiúnta Deaglain?
Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglain has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.