Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor
Naas, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 308 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 128 girls, 180 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01821V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Chéile Chríost, commonly known as Rathmore National School, is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Rathmore, Naas, County Kildare. Set against the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, the school serves families from the rural parish of Eadestown and the surrounding towns, offering a welcoming environment for children from Junior Infants through to the 6th Class. The curriculum follows the Irish primary curriculum with a strong emphasis on holistic development, encouraging participation in community‑based activities, cultural events and charitable projects such as the annual Christmas Fair and fundraising initiatives. The school occupies a modern eight‑classroom building opened in 2005 on a 3 ⅓ acre site, providing spacious classrooms, a dedicated Learning Support Room, staffroom and ample outdoor play areas. Facilities are designed to support a range of learning experiences, from literacy and numeracy to creative arts and physical education. The close partnership with local community halls and the parish reinforces a sense of belonging and encourages parental involvement, making the school a vibrant centre for both education and community life.
History
Rathmore National School was officially recognised in 1837, although a boys’ school had operated in the area since 1821. The original school was a one‑teacher girls’ school, retaining the roll number 1821 as a testament to its long heritage. Kilteel National School opened in 1845 and closed in 1968, after which pupils were transferred to Rathmore. Significant expansions occurred in 1965 (new two‑teacher building), 1969 (third classroom), the 1970s‑80s (two prefabricated units), 1994 (permanent extension with a staffroom and Learning Support Room) and 1999 (additional prefabs). Planning permission for a new eight‑classroom school on an adjacent 3 ⅓ acre site was granted in 2002; foundations were laid in 2004 and the school moved to the new premises in September 2005, officially opened as Scoil Cheile Chríost.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor
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
View Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor'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 Rath Mor. 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 Rath Mor
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor?
Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor has 308 pupils enrolled, 128 girls and 180 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor 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 Rath Mor?
Scoil Náisiúnta Rath Mor has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.