St. Joesph's National School
Kilcullen, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 51 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 22 girls, 29 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18378C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Joseph’s National School, Halverstown is a small, rural primary school serving 49 pupils in the parish of Kilcullen, Co Kildare. The school operates three mainstream classes together with two dedicated autism classes, providing a supportive environment for a range of learning needs. Its educational philosophy centres on a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that nurtures academic, social, spiritual and sporting development, with a strong emphasis on reading, active learning and the wellbeing of each child. The campus boasts top‑of‑the‑range facilities, including five spacious classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and laptops, two additional support rooms, a sensory garden, a football pitch, a winter yard and an outdoor classroom with a whiteboard for fine‑weather lessons. Colourful murals and fairy doors add a whimsical touch to the surroundings. Enrichment programmes such as a Scratch computer‑programming club, regular field‑trips, a robust PE offering (Gaelic football, soccer blitz, rugby coaching and cross‑country) and a developing mindfulness policy further enhance the holistic learning experience.
History
St Joseph’s National School opened on 9 November 1959 as a two‑classroom school on land donated by the O’Neill family. The first principal was Miss Peggy Tuohy, and the school initially enrolled around 35 pupils. Over the decades the school expanded, adding extensions in 2009 (Junior Room and Support Room) and in 2014 (two new mainstream classrooms) on land again gifted by the O’Neill family. Celebrations in 2019 marked the 60th anniversary, featuring reunions with former pupils and community events. The school was officially opened and blessed in its modern form on 30 April 2015.
Applying to St. Joesph'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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St. Joesph'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. Joesph's National School
How many pupils attend St. Joesph's National School?
St. Joesph's National School has 51 pupils enrolled, 22 girls and 29 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Joesph's National School a DEIS school?
No. St. Joesph's 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. Joesph's National School?
St. Joesph's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.