St Marys National School
Arva, Cavan
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 102 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 49 girls, 53 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16316Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Mary’s National School, Arvagh, is a co‑educational primary school that provides a caring, Catholic‑inspired learning environment for children from junior infants to sixth class. The school’s ethos centres on the development of the whole child – intellectual, moral, aesthetic, social and spiritual – and it aims to nurture a love of learning, strong literacy and numeracy foundations, and an appreciation of faith and community. Teaching is designed to promote the highest possible achievement while encouraging lifelong learning and curiosity. The school occupies a distinctive building opened in November 2001 that blends the historic original structure with modern facilities, creating a unique learning space. A further extension added in 2009 provides additional classrooms and activity areas, and a colourful mural at the entrance celebrates the locality’s position at the crossroads of three townlands, baronies, counties and provinces. Resources for home learning are actively supported through a curated list of educational websites, and a range of extra‑curricular activities enrich pupils’ experiences beyond the classroom. Strong links with parents and the wider community are a core part of the school’s operation. Parents are welcomed to contribute to the school’s life, and the school’s routines and procedures are designed to ensure a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all pupils.
History
Education in Arvagh can be traced back to 5 July 1840, when the original school building housed separate boys’ and girls’ schools. These merged to become co‑educational in 1967. The current school building was officially opened on 5 November 2001, incorporating the historic structure and creating a fusion of old and new. Formerly known as Arva No. 1 N.S., the school adopted the name St Mary’s N.S. after the move and embraced the motto *Mol an 6ige agus tiocfaidh siad*. An extension was added in 2009, commemorated with a pupil‑painted mural. The school celebrated its centenary during the October Bank Holiday weekend in 2015, marking 100 years of education in the community.
Applying to St Marys 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 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 National School
How many pupils attend St Marys National School?
St Marys National School has 102 pupils enrolled, 49 girls and 53 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marys National School a DEIS school?
No. St Marys 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 Marys National School?
St Marys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.