Scoil Naomh Ide
Ballagh, Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 22 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 7 girls, 15 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16896O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Íde is a mainstream co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Ashford, Parish of Kileedy, County Limerick. The school’s ethos centres on the principle of Respect, underpinned by a Christian ethos that informs all learning activities and interactions. This focus creates a supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to develop academically, socially and emotionally while enjoying a balanced programme of play and study. The school operates from a historic building originally opened in 1858, which has been continually upgraded and modernised to meet contemporary educational standards. Facilities support a broad curriculum that includes active participation in the Student Council, Green Schools initiatives, physical education and a range of extracurricular programmes such as the Junior Entrepreneur Programme and Amber Flag activities. The community‑oriented setting fosters strong links with families and local organisations, reinforcing the school’s role as a central hub for the village.
History
Scoil Naomh Íde traces its roots to the early Christian tradition of St Ita. After centuries of educational disruption, a grant application in April 1841 led to the establishment of a modest clay‑walled school. A purpose‑built one‑room school opened in May 1858 on land donated by the Cregan family. The school expanded over the 20th century, with the Boy’s and Girl’s National Schools amalgamating on 1 July 1968 to form Scoil Naomh Íde. In June 2008 the community celebrated 150 years of continuous education in the original 1858 building, which has since been modernised while retaining its historic footprint.
Applying to Scoil Naomh Ide
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 Naomh Ide's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Naomh Ide. 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 Naomh Ide
How many pupils attend Scoil Naomh Ide?
Scoil Naomh Ide has 22 pupils enrolled, 7 girls and 15 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Naomh Ide a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Naomh Ide 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 Naomh Ide?
Scoil Naomh Ide has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.