Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh
Ballymurray, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 121 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 61 girls, 60 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12964I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballymurray National School is a mainstream, co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Elphin, located a short five‑minute drive from Roscommon town in the parish of Knockcroghery. The school welcomes boys and girls from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, offering a curriculum that aims to provide high‑quality learning experiences where every child is encouraged and enabled to reach their full and unique potential. A strong emphasis is placed on fostering a positive atmosphere and a tight‑knit community that supports effective learning and personal development for all pupils. The school’s facilities have been continually modernised. It now comprises five contemporary classrooms, two Special Educational Needs (SET) rooms, a staff room, the principal’s office and ample storage. Outdoor provisions include a new agility trail, extensive yard space, a purpose‑built school pitch and a sensory garden that serves both children with sensory needs and as an outdoor classroom. These resources, together with a range of extracurricular activities such as sports quizzes, GAA blitzes and science trips, reflect the school’s commitment to a well‑rounded education.
History
Ballymurray National School was built in 1886 on the site of a former church, replacing two earlier National Board buildings. Originally it had separate entrances for boys and girls, with a teachers’ communicating door, and a small playground for the girls while the boys played football across the road. The first headmaster was Walter Watson, assisted by Mrs. Kenny. The school lacked running water and electric lighting until 1956, when a major reconstruction replaced windows and doors, shifted the entrance, and added a turf shed and two play sheds. Further renovations occurred in 1987, introducing a prefab classroom, modernised toilets, a staff room and central heating. A second prefab was added in 2007, followed by a major extension in 2012 that provided two new classrooms and a cloakroom. In 2015 all prefabs were removed and replaced with two state‑of‑the‑art classrooms, a store room and an accessible toilet. Recent developments have added an additional classroom, a new car park, expanded yard space and a new school pitch. The school now comprises five modern classrooms, two SET rooms, a staff room, the principal’s office and various storage rooms, alongside extensive outdoor facilities.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh
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 Naomh Seosamh. 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 Naomh Seosamh
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh has 121 pupils enrolled, 61 girls and 60 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh 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 Naomh Seosamh?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Seosamh has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.