St Marys National School
Cloghan, Offaly
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 93 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 43 girls, 50 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20068W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Mary’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated in Cloghan, County Offaly, operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. The school’s mission is to provide a safe, happy environment where children can develop self‑awareness, respect for others and the confidence to reach their full potential. As a DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) rural school, St Mary’s benefits from additional support for literacy and numeracy planning, ensuring that all pupils receive targeted assistance to enhance their academic progress. The school offers a range of holistic services that extend beyond the classroom. All pupils are entitled to a free school breakfast and lunch supplied by Carambola, and an after‑school homework club is available to reinforce learning and monitor attendance. St Mary’s is actively involved in the Green School programme, promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices among students. The school also participates in the Active Flag programme, encouraging physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Strong parental involvement is encouraged through an active Parents’ Association, fostering a collaborative community that supports children’s education.
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
View St Marys National School'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. 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
How many pupils attend St Marys National School?
St Marys National School has 93 pupils enrolled, 43 girls and 50 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Marys 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 National School?
St Marys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.