Tobar National School
Moate, Offaly
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 176 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 79 girls, 97 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17540D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Manchan’s National School, Tubber (commonly known as Tubber NS) is a vibrant primary school that provides a balanced curriculum rooted in the Irish tradition of community‑centred education. The school places equal emphasis on academic learning, cultural heritage and extracurricular development, encouraging pupils to explore subjects ranging from the core Irish language and religious education to modern STEM initiatives such as VEX Robotics. State‑of‑the‑art robotics kits and dedicated workshop space enable students to design, build and programme robots, fostering teamwork, problem‑solving and digital literacy. Sport and cultural activities form a core part of the school’s ethos. The school fields a hurling team that competes in local Bunscol competitions and has achieved notable success in regional finals. Annual events such as Lá Glas, World Book Day and Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrate Irish language, music and dance, while charitable projects like the Childline breakfast fundraiser involve the whole school community. These programmes are supported by well‑maintained outdoor play areas and a safe, inclusive environment that promotes personal growth and social responsibility. Strong links with families and the wider parish are evident through regular communion celebrations, SNA appreciation days and collaborative fundraising with local businesses. This holistic approach aims to nurture confident, compassionate learners who are prepared for the challenges of the future while remaining grounded in their cultural identity.
Applying to Tobar 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 Tobar 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 Tobar National School
How many pupils attend Tobar National School?
Tobar National School has 176 pupils enrolled, 79 girls and 97 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Tobar National School a DEIS school?
No. Tobar 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 Tobar National School?
Tobar National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.