St Josephs Convent
Longford Town, Longford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 527 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 391 girls, 136 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18178R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Joseph’s National School is a large urban Catholic primary school situated on Dublin Road in Longford. It delivers a holistic education that nurtures the social, personal, spiritual, academic and aesthetic development of each pupil. The school operates a co‑educational model up to first class, after which boys transfer to St Michael’s Boys National School while girls continue through to sixth class. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive practice, with a dedicated special class for children with autism, a team of Inclusion Support Assistants, and Home‑School Community Liaison officers who support the School Completion Programme. The curriculum is enriched by a digital technologies plan that integrates ICT into teaching and learning, and a broad range of extra‑curricular activities. Pupils can take part in swimming, athletics and Gaelic football coaching, and benefit from a variety of sports and physical education opportunities. The school’s facilities include modern classrooms, specialised support spaces, and access to community volunteers who assist with curriculum delivery. As a DEIS Band 1 urban school, St Joseph’s is committed to providing high‑quality education and fostering confident, caring citizens.
History
The school was built by the Sisters of Mercy in 1957 and extended in 1976. Although the trusteeship has since passed from the Sisters of Mercy, their values remain woven throughout the school’s ethos, guiding its mission to empower pupils to reach their full potential.
Applying to St Josephs Convent
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 Josephs Convent. 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 Josephs Convent
How many pupils attend St Josephs Convent?
St Josephs Convent has 527 pupils enrolled, 391 girls and 136 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Josephs Convent a DEIS school?
Yes. St Josephs Convent 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 Josephs Convent?
St Josephs Convent has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.