St. Brigid's Primary School
Moate, Westmeath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 241 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 182 girls, 59 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15512L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Brigid’s Primary School is a Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in Moate, County Westmeath. It provides co‑educational provision for Junior Infants, Infants and First Class, while from Second to Sixth Class it operates as a girls‑only school. The school serves a vibrant community of over 200 pupils and is staffed by a team of teachers, special needs assistants and support personnel who work together to create a safe, happy and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum follows the revised 1999 Primary Schools’ Curriculum and is delivered with a holistic approach that nurtures cognitive, intellectual, cultural, moral and spiritual development. Emphasis is placed on respect, community involvement and the celebration of each child’s individuality, with particular support for pupils with special educational needs, including a dedicated Autism Specific Learning Environment for female students. Facilities have developed steadily since the school’s foundation, encompassing a modern PE hall, expanded classroom spaces added in the 1970s, a larger staffroom and a purpose‑built car park from the 1990s. These resources, together with a strong partnership with parents and the wider Moate community, underpin the school’s commitment to lifelong learning and the overall well‑being of its pupils.
History
The school originated as the Convent Primary School in 1861, operating from a two‑roomed building under the Sisters of Mercy with an initial enrolment of 60 pupils, which quickly rose to 300 within two years. In 1906 a substantial two‑storey primary school building was erected. Additional classrooms were added in the 1970s, followed by the construction of a PE hall. The 1990s saw further development with an extended staffroom and the creation of a car park. On 1 February 2011 trusteeship transferred from the Mercy Sisters to the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, and the school was renamed St Brigid’s Primary School.
Applying to St. Brigid's Primary 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. Brigid's Primary 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. Brigid's Primary School
How many pupils attend St. Brigid's Primary School?
St. Brigid's Primary School has 241 pupils enrolled, 182 girls and 59 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Brigid's Primary School a DEIS school?
No. St. Brigid's Primary 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. Brigid's Primary School?
St. Brigid's Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.