St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin
Ballinamore, Leitrim
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 47 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 19 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19365V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mary’s National School, Aughnasheelin is a small, vibrant rural primary school situated in the heart of County Leitrim. With an enrolment of around fifty pupils, the school offers a close‑knit community atmosphere where each child is known individually and encouraged to develop confidence and a love of learning. As a DEIS Rural school, it is committed to providing high‑quality education to all children, irrespective of background, and places a strong emphasis on kindness, respect and hard work across the curriculum. The school’s setting amid the natural beauty of Leitrim is woven into daily learning, with extensive use of outdoor spaces to inspire curiosity, wellbeing and play. Classrooms cater for Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, and the small size enables mixed‑age interaction, fostering peer support and collaborative growth. A wide range of extracurricular activities, including sport, music, drama, Green Schools projects and local community initiatives, ensure pupils can explore interests both inside and outside the classroom, preparing them for lifelong success. Strong links with parents and the wider community are a cornerstone of the school’s ethos. Education is viewed as a shared journey, with families and local organisations working hand‑in‑hand with staff to create a supportive, inclusive environment that celebrates each child’s unique talents and potential.
Applying to St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin
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 National School Aughnasheelin. 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 National School Aughnasheelin
How many pupils attend St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin?
St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin has 47 pupils enrolled, 19 girls and 28 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin a DEIS school?
Yes. St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin 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 Mary's National School Aughnasheelin?
St Mary's National School Aughnasheelin has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.