Scoil San Nioclas
CASTLEBELLINGHAM, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 49 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 18 girls, 31 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18126V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil San Nioclás is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Stabannon, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth. The school caters for children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class and offers a broad, balanced curriculum that incorporates active school programmes, Gaelic (Gaeilge) language instruction, the arts, STEM activities and health‑promotion initiatives. Learning is supported by dedicated spaces such as The Learning Lab and The Boost Room, which are used for collaborative and group‑based projects, fostering enquiry‑based learning and peer interaction. The campus has been progressively developed since its original construction in 1958. Facilities include a modern library, a purpose‑built playground opened in 2015, and extensive grass and tarmac areas that accommodate a variety of sports and outdoor activities. The school also benefits from full access to the nearby parish hall, enhancing its capacity to host community events and larger gatherings. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe, inclusive environment that encourages both academic achievement and personal development through a range of extracurricular programmes, including GAA, Green Schools, and parent‑led initiatives.
History
Scoil San Nioclás was built in 1958 to replace an earlier school that had been in use since 1844. A prefabricated classroom was added in 1983, and the school underwent a major extension and refurbishment in 1995. In 2011 a further classroom and a new library were introduced, accompanied by a comprehensive facelift of the interior and exterior. The Learning Lab was added in 2014, and a new playground opened in 2015, providing enhanced facilities for both pupils and the local community playschool, Little Stars.
Applying to Scoil San Nioclas
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 San Nioclas. 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 San Nioclas
How many pupils attend Scoil San Nioclas?
Scoil San Nioclas has 49 pupils enrolled, 18 girls and 31 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil San Nioclas a DEIS school?
No. Scoil San Nioclas 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 San Nioclas?
Scoil San Nioclas has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.