St Etchens National School
Kinnegad, Westmeath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 413 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 172 girls, 241 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19848S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Etchen Naofa is a Catholic primary school serving the Kinnegad community in County Westmeath. Set on a spacious site, the school benefits from two dedicated buildings – the Scoil Etchen Building and the Cardinal Glennon Building – providing ample classroom space and specialised areas for learning. Recent developments have added a modern entrance road, extensive parking, two basketball courts, a football pitch and a well‑equipped playground, creating a vibrant environment for physical activity and outdoor play. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, aiming to nurture the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development of each pupil. Its vision promotes a Christian, caring, safe and healthy learning atmosphere where children are encouraged to reach their full potential and become responsible members of society. Teaching is evidence‑based and inclusive, with a focus on playful, engaging experiences that support smooth transitions from preschool to post‑primary education. Scoil Etchen Naofa is recognised as a Digital School of Distinction and a Health‑Promoting School, reflecting its commitment to contemporary learning and wellbeing.
History
The school is named after St Etchen (c. 490‑577 AD), a patron saint of ploughmen and farmers, whose legacy is celebrated locally. Cardinal John Glennon (1862‑1946), a native of Kinnegad who rose to prominence in the Catholic Church in the United States, is also honoured on the campus. Scoil Etchen Naofa officially opened on 11 September 1985 with 242 pupils and eight teachers. A new building project began in March 2008, delivering additional facilities and was opened and blessed in April 2009, named in honour of Cardinal Glennon. In November 2013 an extension added eight classrooms, new administrative offices and a staffroom, further expanding the school’s capacity.
Applying to St Etchens 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 Etchens 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 Etchens National School
How many pupils attend St Etchens National School?
St Etchens National School has 413 pupils enrolled, 172 girls and 241 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Etchens National School a DEIS school?
No. St Etchens 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 Etchens National School?
St Etchens National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.