St Anthonys Special School
Castlebar, Mayo
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 69 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 28 girls, 41 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19248R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Anthony’s Special School is a co‑educational special needs institution situated on Humbert Way in Castlebar, County Mayo. It provides education for children and young people aged 4‑12 (primary) and 13‑18 (post‑primary) who have mild learning difficulties. The school’s ethos centres on a caring, nurturing environment that promotes the full educational potential of each pupil through personalised Individual Educational Plans. A broad curriculum is delivered by a team of class teachers, Special Needs Assistants and specialist teachers in areas such as woodwork, home economics, music and physical education, supported by a school nurse, chef, caretaker and administrative staff. The modern campus, opened in 2004, has expanded from five to nine classrooms and includes a range of dedicated facilities designed to enhance learning and wellbeing. These comprise a sensory garden, a well‑equipped playground, a dedicated dining area, and specialised spaces for therapy and creative activities. The school also operates a school bus service, ensuring safe transport for pupils from a wide catchment area. Emphasis is placed on holistic development, encouraging functional academic, social and interpersonal skills, as well as community participation, in line with its Catholic‑inspired yet inclusive ethos.
History
Western Care Association was founded in 1966, leading to the establishment of the first special school in Mayo. In November 1967 a founding committee secured funding and began teaching in a community centre on Chapel Street for six months. The following year the school moved to a prefab on The Lawn in Castlebar, on land donated by the Sisters of Mercy, becoming the first special school of its kind in the West of Ireland. After decades in the original premises, a new purpose‑built facility was opened on Humbert Way in 2004, and the school has continuously expanded, growing from five classrooms in 2004 to nine classrooms and a comprehensive staff team by the 2024‑2025 academic year.
Applying to St Anthonys Special 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 St Anthonys Special 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 St Anthonys Special School
How many pupils attend St Anthonys Special School?
St Anthonys Special School has 69 pupils enrolled, 28 girls and 41 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Anthonys Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Anthonys Special 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 St Anthonys Special School?
St Anthonys Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.