St. Columbanus National School
Meath
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 233 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 104 girls, 129 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18016O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Columbanus National School is a Catholic primary school situated in Ballivor, County Meath, serving a vibrant community of pupils, parents and guardians. The school’s ethos is rooted in Gospel values, aiming to nurture children’s academic achievement while fostering a deepening of the Catholic faith, lifelong learning skills and a love of reading, writing and numeracy. A strong partnership between home, school and the wider community underpins its holistic approach, with dedicated staff, an active Board of Management and a supportive parent body working together to achieve the best outcomes for every child. The school places particular emphasis on communication and community engagement. An HSCL (Home‑School‑Community Liaison) scheme promotes regular dialogue, home visits and free parent‑focused courses, while the school’s online presence provides up‑to‑date news, calendars, policies and resources such as safety arrangements, stationery lists and uniform guidelines. These provisions create a safe, well‑organised environment that encourages participation, attendance and the overall well‑being of its pupils.
Applying to St. Columbanus 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
View St. Columbanus National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St. Columbanus National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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. Columbanus National School
How many pupils attend St. Columbanus National School?
St. Columbanus National School has 233 pupils enrolled, 104 girls and 129 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Columbanus National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Columbanus 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. Columbanus National School?
St. Columbanus National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.