St Canices Central National School
Kilkenny
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 648 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 327 girls, 321 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19626A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Canice’s Co‑Ed Primary School is situated on Granges Road in Kilkenny city and is the largest primary school in County Kilkenny, educating over 650 pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. As a Roman Catholic school it welcomes children of all faiths and nationalities, offering a caring, nurturing environment where each child’s happiness is seen as the foundation for academic progress. The school’s ethos combines a strong religious, social and moral programme with a love of sport, music and outstanding academic achievement, encouraging pupils to develop intellectually, physically, culturally and spiritually. The school benefits from a dedicated teaching team, an active Board of Management and a supportive Parent Council. Recent investment in a new school building provides modern classrooms and enhanced facilities for physical education and the music programme, reinforcing the school’s commitment to “courage and confidence in the pursuit of excellence”. Strong partnerships with families and the wider community underpin the school’s holistic approach to primary education.
History
St Canice’s was established in 1982 when three local schools – St Canice’s Infants’ School, St Canice’s Boys’ School and The Loreto National School – amalgamated under the principalship of Mr Liam Moloney. The school has since grown to become the largest primary school in the county, retaining memories of its original building while moving towards a new, purpose‑built facility.
Applying to St Canices Central 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 Canices Central 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 Canices Central National School
How many pupils attend St Canices Central National School?
St Canices Central National School has 648 pupils enrolled, 327 girls and 321 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Canices Central National School a DEIS school?
No. St Canices Central 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 St Canices Central National School?
St Canices Central National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.