St. Kenny National School
MULLINGAR, Westmeath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 224 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 117 girls, 107 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19607T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Kenny National School is a mixed primary school situated on the main Athlone Road just outside Mullingar, County Westmeath. Established in 1980 from the amalgamation of three local schools, it now serves a growing community of pupils from the surrounding villages and the wider catchment area. The school’s website is designed to support parents, pupils and staff, offering online educational links for children, up‑to‑date notices, event information and an information booklet for families. The campus has been continually modernised. Refurbishments have provided a well‑equipped hall with stage, lighting and curtains, upgraded windows, doors, wheelchair‑accessible ramps and modernised toilet facilities. Recent extensions added three new classrooms, a purpose‑built classroom, resource rooms, a disabled WC and a junior yard with play equipment. An adventure‑trail playground was installed in 2018, and the car park was expanded to accommodate staff and visitor parking. The school benefits from a fully updated electrical system, new heating, and dedicated staff and resource rooms, creating a safe and stimulating environment for primary‑age learners.
History
St Kenny National School opened in 1980 following the amalgamation of Glascorn, Walshestown and Ballinea schools. The inaugural principal was the late Mr Frank Conway, supported by a small team of five teachers. In 1998 Mr Arthur Fallon succeeded as principal. Significant developments include a 1999 prefab extension with three classrooms and a Learning Support Room, a 2004 hall refurbishment, extensive building upgrades in 2005 and 2009, and a full electrical overhaul in 2010. A major extension completed in 2016 added three classrooms, a purpose classroom, resource room, disabled WC and a junior yard, followed by a comprehensive refurbishment of the original building in 2017. An adventure‑trail playground was added in 2018. Leadership changes saw Mrs Clare Egan appointed principal in 2020, succeeded by Mr Proinsias Ó Fearghail in 2023.
Applying to St. Kenny 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. Kenny 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. Kenny National School
How many pupils attend St. Kenny National School?
St. Kenny National School has 224 pupils enrolled, 117 girls and 107 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Kenny National School a DEIS school?
No. St. Kenny 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. Kenny National School?
St. Kenny National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.