Scoil Phadraig
Portarlington, Laois
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 521 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17827A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Patricks BNS is a primary school situated in Portarlington, County Laois, offering a vibrant Irish‑medium learning environment for children aged 4‑12. The school follows the Irish national curriculum, placing a strong emphasis on holistic development through a balanced programme of literacy, numeracy, and creative subjects. A core principle is the encouragement of community values, reflected in the motto “Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí” (Praise the youth and they will prosper), which underpins a nurturing ethos that supports both academic achievement and personal growth. The campus incorporates a range of facilities designed to enhance experiential learning. Notable features include a dedicated garden project and a Green School programme that promote environmental stewardship, alongside well‑equipped classrooms for arts, music, and sports. The school also provides a comprehensive suite of resources such as a school calendar, booklists, and regular newsletters to keep families informed and engaged with school life.
Applying to Scoil Phadraig
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 Phadraig. 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 Phadraig
How many pupils attend Scoil Phadraig?
Scoil Phadraig has 521 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Phadraig a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Phadraig 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 Phadraig?
Scoil Phadraig has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.