Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa
SHINRONE, Offaly
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 67 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 37 girls, 30 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18331W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Caoimhin Naofa (Shinrone National School) is a mixed primary school situated in the village of Shinrone, Birr, County Offaly (R42 XE30). The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that follows the Irish Primary School Curriculum, with an emphasis on inclusive education, restorative practice and the development of social and emotional skills. Facilities include dedicated classrooms for mainstream pupils and a specialised autism class, as well as spaces for before‑and‑after‑school clubs, extra‑curricular activities and community events. The school prides itself on a strong partnership with parents and the local community, offering a range of programmes such as fundraising initiatives, a vibrant after‑school club, and a variety of sports and cultural activities. Recent celebrations marked the school’s 50th anniversary and the amalgamation with the former Pike National School, underscoring its long‑standing role as a focal point for education and community life in the area. The school also maintains a commemorative book that captures memories of its history, available for purchase.
History
Scoil Naisiunta Caoimhin Naofa celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of education in Shinrone. The milestone also commemorated the amalgamation of the original Shinrone National School with the nearby Pike National School, uniting the two historic institutions into a single, larger community school.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa. 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 Caoimhin Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa has 67 pupils enrolled, 37 girls and 30 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin 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 Caoimhin Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Caoimhin Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.