St Tola's National School
Shannon, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 218 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 102 girls, 116 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19552U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Tola’s National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in County Clare, operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Killaloe. Established in 1978, the school provides education for children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, currently accommodating close to 240 pupils. The school’s ethos combines a strong Catholic foundation with a commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive academically, socially and spiritually. The teaching team is complemented by two Special Needs Assistants, ensuring that learners with additional needs receive appropriate support. Facilities are designed to cater for a broad curriculum, with dedicated spaces for classroom learning, creative arts, and physical education. A range of extracurricular activities and school‑wide events are offered throughout the year, encouraging pupils to develop confidence, teamwork and a love of learning beyond the classroom. St Tola’s places a high value on community involvement and parental partnership, promoting open communication and collaborative initiatives. The school’s vibrant community spirit is reflected in its regular news updates and events, which celebrate student achievements and foster a sense of belonging among families and staff alike.
Applying to St Tola's 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 Tola's 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 Tola's National School
How many pupils attend St Tola's National School?
St Tola's National School has 218 pupils enrolled, 102 girls and 116 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Tola's National School a DEIS school?
No. St Tola's 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 Tola's National School?
St Tola's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.