Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes
Lixnaw, Kerry
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 104 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 50 girls, 54 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 10957B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Mhuire De Lourdes is a vibrant primary school situated in Ballinageragh, Lixnaw, County Kerry. It provides education for children from junior infants to sixth class, fostering a supportive environment where pupils can develop academically, socially and creatively. The school places a strong emphasis on celebrating student achievement, regularly highlighting milestones such as class graduations, sports days and community events on its website. Resources such as the school documents page allow families to download important information, including the Covid‑19 response plan and policy statements, ensuring transparent communication with parents and the wider public. The school’s ethos centres on nurturing each child’s potential through a balanced curriculum that integrates core subjects with extracurricular activities. Regular updates and news posts keep the community informed of upcoming events, term dates and enrolment opportunities, with enrolments for September 2024 currently open. Facilities are designed to support a modern learning experience, and the school’s online presence reflects its commitment to openness, safety and continuous improvement.
History
Lixnaw National School was built in 1875. Rathea N.S. followed in 1875, with Clandouglas N.S. added in 1876 and Dromclough N.S. in 1877. The Presentation Sisters arrived in Lixnaw in 1877, invited by the Bishop of Kerry, Dr. David Moriarty, who was a native of the parish and wanted to establish convent education there. The school was known at different times as Lixnaw National School, then The Boys' School and The Master's, before becoming Scoil Mhuire De Lourdes. The Department of Education supplied a new school building in 1966, and Ballinclogher N.S., built in 1885, was merged into Lixnaw Boys N.S. in 1970. In the cold winter of 1963, 6th Class pupils staged a strike over the cold, which was reported in the Sunday Press.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes
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 Mhuire De Lourdes. 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 Mhuire De Lourdes
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes?
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes has 104 pupils enrolled, 50 girls and 54 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes 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 Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes?
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire De Lourdes has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.