St Johns National School
SWINFORD, Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 27 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 15 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16289Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Carramore National School is a rural primary school situated near the town of Swinford in County Mayo. The school provides a full‑time curriculum for infants, junior and senior classes, blending traditional Irish teaching methods with a strong emphasis on creative arts and outdoor learning. Pupils regularly engage in music programmes that include whistle, guitar, harp, chimes and samba drums, and the school supports Gaelic games, having celebrated recent successes in county semi‑finals. The campus has been expanded over recent decades and now includes an astro‑turf pitch, a basketball court and a modern sports hall, all of which are used for physical‑activity programmes and outdoor education trips such as the annual senior tour to the Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre. A vibrant community ethos is evident through projects that involve families, local heritage research and performances at venues such as Knock Airport, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural pride among the children.
History
The original Carramore school was built in 1853 on land owned by the Casey family. In 1913 the present building, St John’s, was erected on a site provided by the Doyle family. A front classroom was added in 1923, and although land was set aside for a teacher’s residence, it was never constructed. Major extensions in 2007 introduced an astro‑turf pitch, basketball court and sports hall, and the school marked its centenary in 2013. Further development in 2016 added a new junior classroom and extended the 1923 classroom. By 2017 the enrolment stood at 76 pupils.
Applying to St Johns 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 Johns 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 Johns National School
How many pupils attend St Johns National School?
St Johns National School has 27 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 15 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Johns National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Johns 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 Johns National School?
St Johns National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.