Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa
Kilshanny, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 21 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 8 girls, 13 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17847G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilshanny National School is a small, rural primary school situated in the parish of Kilshanny, County Clare. With only two classrooms, the school is able to offer highly personalised attention to each pupil, fostering a caring and supportive learning environment. The curriculum follows the national programme but is delivered through a holistic approach that prioritises the development of academic, social and emotional skills, encouraging active citizenship and lifelong learning. A wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including drama, a school garden, sports, science projects, junior entrepreneurship and Green Schools initiatives, provide pupils with opportunities to discover and develop their individual strengths. The school is well‑equipped with modern resources: dedicated maths, IT, PE and science equipment, interactive whiteboards, laptops and iPads in every classroom, and extensive outdoor facilities such as basketball courts, a newly built playground, and a wildlife‑friendly garden area. These facilities support a balanced programme of indoor and outdoor learning, allowing children to engage with both traditional subjects and experiential, environmentally‑focused projects.
History
The school was originally constructed in 1952 and remains in excellent condition. In 2009 the building was extended and refurbished, adding two new classrooms and a staff‑room while converting existing spaces into a general‑purpose room and a learning support room. Further enhancements include a new school yard completed in 2012 and the erection of a Geodome in 2013, reflecting the school’s commitment to providing contemporary learning environments.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
View Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa. 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 Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa has 21 pupils enrolled, 8 girls and 13 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa 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 Aibhistin Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Aibhistin Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.