St Mary's Boys National School
Ferrybank, Waterford
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 212 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18235D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Mary’s Boys’ National School is an all‑boys primary school serving the Ferrybank community on the north bank of the River Suir, straddling the counties of Waterford and Kilkenny. The school provides education from Junior Infants through to 6th Class and operates under a Catholic ethos while welcoming children of all faiths and none. Teaching is delivered by a team of eight class teachers supported by five Special Education Teachers, fostering an inclusive environment that values tolerance and respect for religious differences. The school benefits from a purpose‑built campus that was extended in 1975 to include additional classrooms, a staff room and a modern oil‑fired central heating system. The original 1959 building sits opposite the former 1897 school, now the Parish Community Centre, linking the school to the wider community. Strong links with local GAA and soccer clubs encourage participation in sport, and the school’s curriculum reflects the industrial, maritime and cultural heritage of the Ferrybank area. A Board of Management, backed by an active Parents’ Association, oversees school development and ensures a supportive, forward‑looking learning environment.
History
The present school premises opened in the spring of 1959, the same day that the neighbouring Our Lady of Good Counsel girls’ school was blessed by Bishop Daniel Collier. Situated on the north bank of the River Suir, the school has long been a focal point of the historic Ferrybank community, which spans both Waterford and Kilkenny. An earlier school building dating from 1897 stood nearby; after the 1959 move, that structure was refurbished and now serves as the Parish Community Centre. In 1975 the school was extended, adding three classrooms, a purpose room, a staff room and a central heating system to accommodate growing pupil numbers. Over the decades the school has maintained close ties with local GAA and soccer clubs and has celebrated the achievements of its past pupils in sport, academia and the arts. Leadership has passed through several principals, with the current principal overseeing a modern, inclusive educational setting.
Applying to St Mary's 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 Mary's 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 Mary's Boys National School
How many pupils attend St Mary's Boys National School?
St Mary's Boys National School has 212 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Mary's Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. St Mary's Boys 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 Mary's Boys National School?
St Mary's Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.