Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa
Castlerea, Roscommon
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 66 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01086R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Pol Naofa (St Paul’s Boys National School) is a Catholic primary school under the patronage of Bishop Kevin Doran, situated on Church Hill in Castlerea, County Roscommon. The school caters for senior boys from 2nd to 6th class and operates three mainstream classrooms, providing a focused environment for pupils in the upper primary years. Its Catholic ethos underpins the curriculum, promoting values of respect, community and spiritual development alongside the national educational programme. The school adopts a holistic, activity‑rich approach to learning. Pupils engage in a range of programmes such as the PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies) scheme to develop reading fluency and collaborative skills, and participate in regular science fairs, sports competitions and cultural events like Seachtain na Gaeilge. Environmental stewardship is encouraged through Green‑Schools and the Active Flag initiatives, while technology integration is highlighted on the “Technology in St Paul’s” page. These varied experiences aim to nurture confident, well‑rounded learners who are active contributors to their school and wider community.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Pol 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.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Pol 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 Pol Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa has 66 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa 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 Pol Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Pol Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.