St Marys National School Grange
Grange, Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 60 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 28 girls, 32 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17997C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mary’s National School, Grange is a Catholic primary school situated in the rural heartland of Grange, County Waterford. The school provides a nurturing environment for around 60 pupils, fostering an enquiring mind, a love of learning and respect for others. Its educational ethos prioritises a happy, respectful and safe atmosphere where children can develop confidence and reach their full potential. The curriculum is delivered to high standards across a broad range of subjects, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. Small class sizes enable personalised attention, while the active parents association supports fundraising and community involvement. The school’s facilities have been modernised since the mid‑20th century, offering suitable classrooms and resources that support both academic and creative pursuits.
History
The school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006, but education in Grange dates back at least a century before the current building. The original school also served as a church until 1839. In 1868 it split into separate boys’ and girls’ schools, operating under the Sexton family during a period of post‑famine hardship. After a brief closure in 1888, new principals revived the schools, and in 1903 the institution became an all‑Irish school under Deaglán Ó Cuilliú. The school continued to evolve, with a new building erected during John Cashman’s tenure (1942‑1958). Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, dedicated teachers worked under modest conditions to provide a solid education for the community’s children.
Applying to St Marys National School Grange
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
View St Marys National School Grange's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Marys National School Grange. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Grange
How many pupils attend St Marys National School Grange?
St Marys National School Grange has 60 pupils enrolled, 28 girls and 32 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marys National School Grange a DEIS school?
No. St Marys National School Grange 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 Grange?
St Marys National School Grange has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.