St. Joseph's National School
Kilcock, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 89 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 40 girls, 49 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18887A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s National School, Mulhussey is a rural Catholic primary school situated in the parish of Kilcloon, Co. Meath, approximately 7 km from Kilcock and 8 km from Maynooth, Co. Kildare. The school operates a multi‑grade structure with four mainstream classes ranging from Junior and Senior Infants through to 5th and 6th class, supported by dedicated special educational needs staff and ancillary personnel. Recent extensions have added a new classroom (opened 2021) and, in 2024, an outdoor classroom together with a sensory and wellbeing garden, enabling a strong emphasis on experiential and outdoor learning. The ethos of the school is firmly Catholic, under the patronage of the Diocese of Meath, and is reflected in a restorative approach to behaviour that promotes positive relationships and a supportive climate. Learning is designed to be inclusive, encouraging each child to reach their full potential, develop confidence, and acquire both academic and social skills. The school community is collaborative, with a democratically elected Board of Management and an active Parent Association that work in partnership with pupils and staff to enhance the educational experience.
History
St. Joseph’s National School opened its doors in 1964. Since its foundation the school has expanded to accommodate a current enrolment of around 90 pupils. The original building was extended with a new classroom in 2021, and in 2024 an outdoor classroom and a sensory‑wellbeing garden were added to support outdoor and experiential learning. The school continues to grow while maintaining its Catholic ethos and community‑focused values.
Applying to St. Joseph'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.
National term dates 2026/27
View St. Joseph's National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St. Joseph's National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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. Joseph's National School
How many pupils attend St. Joseph's National School?
St. Joseph's National School has 89 pupils enrolled, 40 girls and 49 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Joseph's National School a DEIS school?
No. St. Joseph'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. Joseph's National School?
St. Joseph's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.