Silvermines National School
Nenagh, Tipperary
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 57 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 29 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15696B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Silvermines National School, also known as S.N. Béal Átha Gabhann, is a co-educational Catholic primary school in the village of Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, near Nenagh, at the foot of Sliabh Ciamaltha. Children range in age from four to thirteen years, covering Junior Infants to 6th class. The school has 70 children on the roll from 45 families, with three mainstream teachers, one shared special education teacher and one special needs assistant. The grounds include a playing field known historically as The Paddock, an astroturf facility, an outdoor basketball court, a school garden, an outdoor classroom, a hurling wall and a sensory garden with a fountain and seating areas. The school has secured three Green Flags, the most recent awarded in 2019, and has won the Tidiest School in North Tipperary Award from Tipperary County Council on a number of occasions.
History
The current Silvermines NS building was officially opened on the 20th of June 2012. It was constructed on the site of the old school, which originally opened in 1905 after land was procured from the estate of Lord Dunalley. The school draws pupils from Silvermines village, the surrounding hinterland and a larger catchment area, with children travelling by bus and car.
Applying to Silvermines 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 Silvermines 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 Silvermines National School
How many pupils attend Silvermines National School?
Silvermines National School has 57 pupils enrolled, 29 girls and 28 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Silvermines National School a DEIS school?
No. Silvermines 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 Silvermines National School?
Silvermines National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.