St Josephs
Tipperary
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 163 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 133 girls, 30 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17731K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Joseph’s Primary School is a DEIS Urban Band 2 primary school in Templemore, County Tipperary, catering for 178 pupils. The school operates with a full complement of class teachers, specialist educators for special educational needs and a dedicated ASD class, supported by a range of additional staff including special educational needs assistants, a school secretary, caretaker and cleaner. The curriculum is enriched by a strong emphasis on whole‑child development: the school is both an Active School and a Health‑Promoting School, running monthly family‑focused activities, regular physical‑activity initiatives such as “Drop Everything and Dance!”, “Walk on Wednesdays”, and a designated 1 km walking route. Environmental stewardship is also central, with a Green School programme that has earned Green Flags for waste, green home and marine themes. The school’s facilities have been continually modernised. Recent refurbishments include new wiring, a new roof, upgraded playground surfacing, a modern kitchen, and the addition of the “Sonas” wing providing contemporary classrooms and support rooms. An all‑purpose hall (the Halla) and a purpose‑built modular unit for the ASD class “Seoda” were added in the 1970s and 2021 respectively. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, featuring a library, computer room, school choir, traditional music and dance groups, creative dance, céilí, vegetable beds and knitting clubs. An after‑school club offers homework support and free hot lunches for all pupils throughout the year.
History
The first convent primary school on the site, dedicated to St Anne, opened in July 1864 on the former cholera hospital in what was then Hospital Street. Extensions were added in 1888 and between 1932‑1939 as the town grew. By the end of 1949 the building was no longer adequate, prompting the purchase of a new site across the road. Archbishop Kinane blessed the foundation stone on 2 February 1950 and the new school, dedicated to St Joseph, officially opened in August 1951. In 1976 an all‑purpose hall, “The Halla”, was added and the school was repainted. Recent decades have seen extensive refurbishment, the construction of the modern “Sonas” wing, and the introduction of a specialised ASD class “Seoda” in September 2021, housed in a state‑of‑the‑art modular unit. 2021 also marked the school’s 70‑year platinum anniversary, celebrated with a 456‑page historical book documenting its legacy.
Applying to St Josephs
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 Josephs. 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
How many pupils attend St Josephs?
St Josephs has 163 pupils enrolled, 133 girls and 30 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Josephs a DEIS school?
Yes. St Josephs 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?
St Josephs has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.