St Fachnan & St Attractas National School
Kilfenora, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 57 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 31 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20149W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Fachnan & St Attracta’s National School is a co‑educational, mainstream primary school situated at the western end of the historic village of Kilfenora, County Clare. Guided by a Catholic ethos and a clearly articulated mission statement, the school promotes a warm, welcoming environment that respects and celebrates diversity in culture, religion, gender and ability. The curriculum is designed to nurture each pupil holistically – spiritually, morally, cognitively, emotionally, imaginatively, aesthetically, socially and physically – with a strong emphasis on inclusion and high standards of teaching and learning. The school benefits from modern facilities that support a broad range of activities. An extension added in 1985 provides an infant classroom, a purpose‑built PE hall, staff room, storage and kitchen, while a prefabricated classroom expands capacity. Outdoor provision includes access to the Kilfenora Astro‑turf pitch, which accommodates sports such as tag rugby, soccer, hockey, Gaelic games and fitness classes, reinforcing the school’s commitment to physical wellbeing and community engagement.
History
Kilfenora, a rural village in north‑west County Clare, has a rich heritage dating back to an early monastic settlement founded by St Fachtna in the sixth century. The original Kilfenora National School was built in 1841 on the site now occupied by the Burren Centre. The current school building was erected in 1958 with three classrooms, later supplemented by a prefabricated classroom. An extension opened in 1985 added an infant classroom, PE hall, staff room, storage rooms and kitchen. In September 2001 the school became an amalgamation of the two parish schools, St Attracta’s N.S. (Inchovea) and St Fachanan’s N.S. (Kilfenora), continuing the tradition of education in the community.
Applying to St Fachnan & St Attractas 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 Fachnan & St Attractas 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 Fachnan & St Attractas National School
How many pupils attend St Fachnan & St Attractas National School?
St Fachnan & St Attractas National School has 57 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 31 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Fachnan & St Attractas National School a DEIS school?
No. St Fachnan & St Attractas 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 Fachnan & St Attractas National School?
St Fachnan & St Attractas National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.