St Marys National School
Athlone, Westmeath
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 573 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 265 girls, 308 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20073P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Mary’s Primary School is a co‑educational national school in Athlone, County Westmeath, catering for Junior Infants through 6th Class. With over 550 pupils, the school embraces a multicultural ethos while maintaining its Catholic foundation, as reflected in its Mission Statement. The curriculum is underpinned by the principles of inclusiveness, equality and respect, which are embedded in all school policies. A whole‑school approach to health and wellbeing is evident through programmes such as Healthy Eating, mental‑health promotion during Children’s Mental Health Week, and the Safer Internet Day initiative, ensuring that pupils develop both academically and socially. Beyond the core curriculum, St Mary’s offers a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities. Students can take part in Junior Entrepreneur, Maths Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Intercultural Week and a range of STEM events such as Engineer’s Week. Environmental stewardship is a key focus, with the student‑led Green‑Schools programme, Amber Flag and Active Flag initiatives encouraging long‑term, whole‑school action for the planet. Regular communication through a monthly newsletter, a vibrant Student Council and a dedicated Parent’s Hub further support community engagement and parental involvement.
History
St Mary’s Primary School was established in 1998 following the amalgamation of three schools in St Mary’s parish, creating a single co‑educational national school serving the riverside town of Athlone.
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
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 573 pupils enrolled, 265 girls and 308 boys. That makes it larger 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.