Shountrade National School
Adare, Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 127 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 60 girls, 67 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17068F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Shountrade National School is situated in a tranquil rural setting near the village of Adare, County Limerick. The school fosters a caring community spirit while embracing a progressive educational outlook, creating a vibrant environment where pupils develop a genuine love of learning. Core values of respect, knowledge and responsibility underpin every aspect of the curriculum, ensuring that children of all abilities are supported to reach their full potential. The school adopts a holistic approach, combining creative teaching methods with modern facilities and technology to prepare learners for the challenges of the twenty‑first century. Well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated playground, and recent extensions provide spacious, contemporary learning spaces. Strong partnership with parents is encouraged, recognising families as the primary educators of their children and keeping them informed of progress and goals.
History
The name Shountrade (Irish *Sean tSráid*, “Old Street”) reflects the historic street that once gave the townland its name. The first recorded National Board of Education school in Shountrade dates to 1852, operating from a small thatched one‑room building with around 100 pupils. In 1855 Rev. T.S. O Grady secured a more suitable premises on land owned by the O’Neills, with furniture supplied by Lord Dunraven. By 1865 the school, situated in the townland of Tuogh, benefitted from a slated teacher’s residence and an acre of playground provided by Lord Dunraven. After a fire destroyed the original building in 1936, a new school was erected in 1937 on land purchased from Mr Kinevane. Originally a two‑teacher school, enrolment grew from thirty to 157 pupils, prompting three extensions over twelve years and further land donations from the Kinevane family. Today Shountrade National School is a modern, well‑equipped institution, guided by the motto Fás agus foghlaim! (Growth and learning).
Applying to Shountrade 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 Shountrade 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 Shountrade National School
How many pupils attend Shountrade National School?
Shountrade National School has 127 pupils enrolled, 60 girls and 67 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Shountrade National School a DEIS school?
No. Shountrade 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 Shountrade National School?
Shountrade National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.