Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan
Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 91 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 49 girls, 42 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18670V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Ruadháin is a Catholic co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Tullaroan, approximately eight miles north‑west of Kilkenny city. The school serves a close‑knit community of around 80 pupils and operates with a small dedicated staff, reflecting a personalised learning environment. As a recognised Digital School, Scoil Ruadháin integrates technology into daily lessons, supporting modern pedagogical approaches while maintaining a strong emphasis on traditional subjects such as Irish, English, maths and the arts. The campus combines historic and contemporary facilities. The original post‑World‑War II single‑storey classroom block, complete with a water tower and playground shelter, remains in use, while a recent extension opened in June 2025 provides additional classrooms and a purpose‑built P.E. hall. Ongoing development, planned for completion in 2023, will further enhance learning spaces. The school’s vibrant extracurricular programme includes hurling, camogie, music and charitable initiatives such as the annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal, fostering a well‑rounded education that encourages community involvement, physical wellbeing and cultural appreciation.
History
Tullaroan School was established in 1842, originally housed in the present‑day Community Hall at the centre of the village. After the Second World War a new single‑storey classroom block with an attached water tower and playground shelter was constructed, exemplifying the Board of Works’ post‑war school design; it operated as a three‑teacher school. In 1972 the school amalgamated with Ballybeigh School, prompting the addition of a smaller building at the rear that now serves as the junior section. The school expanded to five teachers in 1984. The Board of Management adopted the name Scoil Ruadháin in 1995, and the staffing later returned to four teachers. A further extension, intended to double as a large classroom and P.E. hall, was under construction with a planned completion date of 2023.
Applying to Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan
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 Ruadhain Tullaroan. 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 Ruadhain Tullaroan
How many pupils attend Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan?
Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan has 91 pupils enrolled, 49 girls and 42 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan 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 Ruadhain Tullaroan?
Scoil Ruadhain Tullaroan has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by kevin higgins. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.