The Rock National School
Mountmellick, Laois
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 204 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 95 girls, 109 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18206T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
The Rock National School is a mixed Catholic primary school in Mountmellick, County Laois, with DEIS status. Enrolment is 204 pupils. The school has eight mainstream classes from junior infants to sixth class, supported by four special education teachers. The school motto is “Éirigh don dúshlán”, meaning Embrace the Challenge. Pupils are prepared for First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation according to diocesan arrangements. Prayer is part of the school day. The school states its ethos as that of a Christian Catholic school, and aims to promote the full and harmonious development of each pupil, including relationships with God, other people and the environment. Extra-curricular activities include GAA, spikeball, rounders, swimming, chess, drama, Irish dancing, tin whistle and music generation.
Applying to The Rock 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 The Rock 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 The Rock National School
How many pupils attend The Rock National School?
The Rock National School has 204 pupils enrolled, 95 girls and 109 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is The Rock National School a DEIS school?
Yes. The Rock 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 The Rock National School?
The Rock National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.