St Marys Boys National School
Monaghan
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 229 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 4 girls, 225 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17150N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s Boys’ National School (Scoil Mhuire) is a senior primary school for boys aged approximately seven to thirteen, catering for second through sixth class. The school delivers a Catholic‑based yet inclusive ethos, welcoming children of all faiths and celebrating the cultural diversity of modern Ireland. Its educational approach combines a strong academic tradition with a focus on personal development, encouraging curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning. The curriculum is designed to be challenging, engaging and relevant, supporting pupils to achieve their full academic potential while also fostering social, emotional and technological skills. The school benefits from recent investment in its physical environment, including a fully renovated building to meet contemporary energy goals, an all‑weather court, and specialised provisions such as autism and DLD/SSD classes. Participation in programmes such as Green‑Schools, the Amber Flag, and Erasmus+ reflects a commitment to sustainability, well‑being and international collaboration. Strong links with local agencies, the neighbouring St Louis Infant School and a supportive Board of Management further enhance the learning community, providing a nurturing and collaborative atmosphere for pupils to thrive.
History
St Mary’s was founded in July 1867 by the Christian Brothers as Scoil Mhuire at Lakeview. In 1901 the Brothers purchased ‘The Hill’, and the school moved to St Mary’s Hill in 1902, coinciding with the establishment of Ireland’s first agricultural college on the site. Over the decades the school expanded its facilities, including a new primary building in 1938 and a secondary school in 1969 (closed in 1983). In 1981 the institution became a parish school, and in 1989 the primary school relocated into the former secondary school building. Celebrations marked its centenary in 1967 and its sesquicentenary in 2017. Recent developments include a 2022 Energy Pathfinder pilot renovation, exterior works and an all‑weather court in 2023, and participation in Erasmus+ exchanges.
Applying to St Marys Boys 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 Marys Boys 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 Marys Boys National School
How many pupils attend St Marys Boys National School?
St Marys Boys National School has 229 pupils enrolled, 4 girls and 225 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marys Boys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Marys Boys National School 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 Marys Boys National School?
St Marys Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.