St. Cuan's National School
Kilrush, Clare
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 19 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 9 girls, 10 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18359V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilbaha National School is a small, rural primary school situated in West Clare, serving children from Junior Infants through Sixth Class. The school prides itself on an intimate, family‑like atmosphere where mixed‑age interaction encourages mutual support and a strong sense of community. Learning is deeply rooted in the local heritage, with pupils regularly engaging with Kilbaha’s rich tradition and folklore, fostering a love of their cultural background alongside the national curriculum. The school operates across two main teaching spaces: a Junior Room that accommodates Junior Infants, Senior Infants, First and Second Class, and a Senior Room for Third to Sixth Class. This layout allows for age‑appropriate teaching while maintaining the close‑knit environment that characterises the school. Parents and guardians are recognised as essential partners, contributing to a vibrant programme of extra‑curricular activities and supporting the school’s collaborative approach to education.
History
St. Cuan’s National School traces its origins to separate boys’ and girls’ schools established in the 1870s. The boys’ school operated from 1874 under principals such as Bernard Keating and later Thomas Keating, while the girls’ school began in 1871 with staff including Margaret O’Brien and Ellie O’Gorman. In 1962 the two institutions merged to form St. Cuan’s N.S., evolving through various leadership and support roles from the 1960s to the present day, continually adapting to the educational needs of the Kilbaha community.
Applying to St. Cuan's 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. Cuan's 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. Cuan's National School
How many pupils attend St. Cuan's National School?
St. Cuan's National School has 19 pupils enrolled, 9 girls and 10 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Cuan's National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Cuan's 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. Cuan's National School?
St. Cuan's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.