St Bernards Mixed National School
Longford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 29 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 10 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15122V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Bernard’s Mixed National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Abbeylara, County Longford. It provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that follows the Irish National Curriculum while placing a strong emphasis on personal development, cultural heritage and community involvement. The school maintains a safe and nurturing environment, underpinned by a range of policies covering child safeguarding, health and safety, behaviour and the Bí Cineálta (well‑being) framework. These policies are readily accessible to parents and guardians, reflecting the school’s commitment to transparency and partnership. The school serves a wide catchment area that includes the townlands of Ballinacross, Cartronbore, Springtown, Creevy and Ballywillin, with Department of Education transport facilitating attendance. Facilities include dedicated classroom spaces, a garden area used for outdoor learning, and resources for literacy and numeracy development. Regular communication is supported through newsletters, a school calendar and active social‑media links, ensuring families stay informed about events and activities throughout the academic year.
History
The origins of St Bernard’s date back to a 1848 application for the first national school in Abbeylara, which opened under the guidance of James Mallon. A separate female school was recognised in 1857, led by Elizabeth Mahon. In 1899 a new school building was erected and opened in 1902, housing both the male (St Bernard’s) and female (St Brigid’s) schools. The two schools amalgamated on 1 April 1917 under the patronage of St Bernard, creating a single mixed institution. Subsequent principals oversaw the school’s development, including the 1968 merger with Springtown NS and the establishment of a Board of Management in 1975. Leadership continued with principals John Fay (until 2004), Mary Quinn (2004‑2018) and Aiden Reynolds (from 2018 to the present). The school’s history is intertwined with the local community and has inspired literary figures such as poet John Montague.
Applying to St Bernards Mixed 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 St Bernards Mixed 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 St Bernards Mixed National School
How many pupils attend St Bernards Mixed National School?
St Bernards Mixed National School has 29 pupils enrolled, 10 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Bernards Mixed National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Bernards Mixed National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of St Bernards Mixed National School?
St Bernards Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.