Tarmon National School
Castlerea, Roscommon
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 276 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 129 girls, 147 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13757I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Tarmon National School is a Roman Catholic primary school situated 4 km north‑east of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. While the school promotes a Catholic ethos, it respects the rights and beliefs of every person, creating a safe, caring and inclusive community where each child is valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The curriculum balances spiritual, social and academic development, with a strong emphasis on creativity, teamwork and digital literacy. The school offers a wide range of facilities to support this holistic approach. Dedicated spaces for the Arts, Sports and Digital Technology enable pupils to explore music, visual art, coding and robotics – the school was awarded Coding and Robotics Flags in 2024. Outdoor learning is encouraged through well‑maintained grounds, an all‑weather games area and a recently developed Astro Turf pitch and garden. A purpose‑built Autism Centre, opened in 2014 and expanded in 2018 and 2022, provides specialised classrooms, a sensory room and a central activities area, supporting inclusive education for autistic pupils alongside mainstream classes. Recent upgrades such as a new gym, upgraded computer rooms and a refreshed sensory pod further enhance the learning environment.
History
The present school building dates from 1890, with records of a local school existing as early as the 1860s. Significant developments include a new infant classroom and staff room in 1998, followed by additional classrooms, a resource room and a multi‑purpose room in 2003. In 2009 a school gym, extra classroom, staff and resource rooms, and a refurbished computer room were added, funded by generous community support. The Autism Centre was established in 2014, and in 2016 the O’Rourke family donated land for an Astro Turf pitch and garden. A new building for children with autism and an extra mainstream classroom opened in 2018, and in 2022 Department of Education funding enabled the construction of two further autism classrooms and three mainstream classrooms, with ancillary facilities to be completed soon.
Applying to Tarmon 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 Tarmon 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 Tarmon National School
How many pupils attend Tarmon National School?
Tarmon National School has 276 pupils enrolled, 129 girls and 147 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Tarmon National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Tarmon 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 Tarmon National School?
Tarmon National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.