Scoil Seanain Naofa
Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 276 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 121 girls, 155 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 04548V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Seanáin Naofa, Clonlara National School, provides a safe and nurturing environment for children aged 4‑12 in a rural setting near Limerick, bordered by the Shannon River and the Sixmilebridge Hills. The school’s ethos centres on mutual respect, partnership with families and a commitment to enabling every pupil to reach their full potential through a well‑rounded curriculum that balances academic learning with strong Gaelic games programmes in hurling, camogie and football. The campus combines the original 1968 building with a major 1985 extension, a striking two‑storey addition completed in 2007, and a modern “Hub” classroom created in 2022 for senior‑infant activities. Facilities include dedicated spaces for physical education, specialist support from five full‑time Special Needs Assistants, and a recently introduced hot‑meal service for all pupils. With a staff complement of 20 teachers and a supportive caretaker and secretary team, the school serves 299 pupils, offering structured school days from 09:00 to 13:40 (infants) and 14:40 (1st‑6th classes) and well‑timed break periods to promote a balanced routine.
History
The origins of Scoil Seanáin Naofa trace back to 1807 when Jeremiah O’Grady ran a hedge school at Coolisteigue, followed by a second hedge school operated by George Franklin. Formal education expanded in 1818 under John Guerin, and by 1831 the National Board of Education was established. After a series of building attempts and funding challenges in the 1840s, a new school opened in 1884 for boys, with a girls’ school added a year later. The appointment of Patrick Pearse in 1898 introduced Irish language teaching, and the Gaelic revival continued under Daniel Honan from 1903. In 1934 the separate boys’ and girls’ schools amalgamated into a mixed school. The school moved to its present site in September 1968, later receiving extensions in 1985, 1984, and a two‑storey addition in 2007, with further developments such as the Hub classroom (2022), new uniform (2023) and hot meals (2024).
Applying to Scoil Seanain Naofa
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 Seanain Naofa. 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 Seanain Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Seanain Naofa?
Scoil Seanain Naofa has 276 pupils enrolled, 121 girls and 155 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Seanain Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Seanain Naofa 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 Seanain Naofa?
Scoil Seanain Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.