Scoil Padraig
Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 218 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 109 girls, 109 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17064U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Padraig is a co‑educational national primary school serving the community of Ballylinan, situated about 7 km from Athy. The school provides early years and junior infant education, following the Irish national curriculum with an emphasis on holistic development, inclusive learning and the promotion of Irish language and culture. Modern teaching spaces were introduced when the new school building opened on 30 April 2013, offering updated heating, sanitation and accessible facilities that support a safe and welcoming environment for pupils. The school’s facilities include well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated learning support area, and adaptable spaces that accommodate specialised programmes such as an autism class. A strong partnership with parents and the local community underpins extracurricular activities, creative projects and cultural events, fostering a vibrant school life that encourages curiosity, creativity and social responsibility among its learners.
History
The origins of the school date back to 1843 when a two‑room building was erected to teach both boys and girls, following earlier 19th‑century hedge schools in the area. A new purpose‑built school was opened in July 1934 after the foundation stone was laid by Bishop M. Cullen, featuring central heating and modern sanitation. Renovations in the early 1970s modernised the heating system and classroom layout, and a prefabricated classroom was added in 1979 to accommodate growth. The most recent relocation to a new site occurred on 30 April 2013, providing contemporary facilities for the school community.
Applying to Scoil Padraig
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 Padraig. 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 Padraig
How many pupils attend Scoil Padraig?
Scoil Padraig has 218 pupils enrolled, 109 girls and 109 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Padraig a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Padraig 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 Padraig?
Scoil Padraig has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.