St Patricks National School
Westport, Mayo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 11 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 9 girls, 2 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13311O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Patricks National School is a small, community‑focused primary school situated on Clare Island, Westport, Co. Mayo. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that blends the core subjects of the Irish primary syllabus with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Through programmes such as “Discover Primary Science and Maths”, regular STEAM workshops, and dedicated Maths and Science weeks, pupils are encouraged to develop inquiry‑based learning skills and a love of problem‑solving. The school makes extensive use of its natural surroundings, offering outdoor learning experiences through the ACRES and Blanket Bog workshops, a polytunnel garden, and regular beach‑clean and environmental projects. These activities support the Active Schools initiative, with challenges such as the “Skip Around the World” skipping programme, Walk‑to‑School week and a range of community‑led events. The school’s calendar is rich with cultural and sporting highlights, including an annual Christmas concert, Harvest Feast, Halloween party, Football Blitz and senior/junior tours, fostering a vibrant, inclusive ethos that celebrates both academic achievement and community spirit.
Applying to St Patricks 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 Patricks 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 Patricks National School
How many pupils attend St Patricks National School?
St Patricks National School has 11 pupils enrolled, 9 girls and 2 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Patricks National School a DEIS school?
No. St Patricks 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 Patricks National School?
St Patricks National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.