St Joseph's National School
Carrickmacross, Monaghan
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 234 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17099Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Joseph’s National School is a boys’ primary school located in the town of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The school caters for 252 pupils ranging from Junior Infants to 6th Class and is staffed by a team of 17 teachers, five Special Needs Assistants and a secretary. As a Roman Catholic institution established in connection with the Minister for Education, the school’s ethos is centred on the holistic development of each child – intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual – and it delivers religious education in line with Catholic doctrine, fostering a living relationship with God and the wider community. The curriculum is complemented by a broad programme of extra‑curricular activities, including hurling, Gaelic football, music and the Active School Flag initiative, which promote physical health, teamwork and cultural appreciation. The school also adheres to a Healthy Eating Policy and provides hot lunches, reflecting its commitment to pupil wellbeing. Recent investment in high‑speed broadband through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme ensures that learners have access to modern digital resources, supporting contemporary teaching and learning practices.
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.
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 Joseph'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 Joseph's National School
How many pupils attend St Joseph's National School?
St Joseph's National School has 234 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger 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 boys' primary school.