Shanganamore National School
Athy, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 106 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 58 girls, 48 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 00892Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Shanganamore National School is a small, five‑teacher primary school serving the Barrowhouse area and surrounding townlands in County Laois. The school operates under the motto *Fás agus Foghlaim* (“Growing and Learning”) and adopts a child‑centred, holistic approach to education. Classrooms are organised as mixed‑age groups, allowing flexible teaching that meets the varied needs of pupils. In addition to the mainstream teaching team, the school provides dedicated resource and learning‑support staff, overseen by a community‑representative Board of Management. The present school building was constructed in 1999 and incorporates modern facilities that support a broad curriculum. Emphasis is placed on physical and emotional well‑being, with the school holding the Health Promoting Schools flag and other recognitions such as the Active Flag, Amber Flag, Green Schools Flag and Discover Primary Science award. A wide range of extracurricular activities are offered, including Gaelic games, rugby, drama productions, film projects and participation in scientific competitions. Since September 2021 the school has also welcomed an ASD class, An Ghairdín Beo, promoting inclusive education for all learners.
History
The school originally operated from a building within the adjacent church grounds, now used as the local community hall. It began as a one‑teacher, later two‑teacher, institution before expanding to its current five‑teacher mainstream staff and two resource/support teachers. The purpose‑built school building was erected in 1999 and officially opened in May of that year, marking a significant development in the school’s facilities and capacity.
Applying to Shanganamore National School
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 Shanganamore National School. 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 Shanganamore National School
How many pupils attend Shanganamore National School?
Shanganamore National School has 106 pupils enrolled, 58 girls and 48 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Shanganamore National School a DEIS school?
No. Shanganamore National School 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 Shanganamore National School?
Shanganamore National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.