Walsh Island National School
Geashill, Offaly
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 83 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 41 girls, 42 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17616K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Naomh Mhuire National School, commonly known as Walsh Island National School, is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in Walsh Island, Geashill, County Offaly. The school’s mission is to provide a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, moral and cultural development of each pupil. Teaching is grounded in a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, while recognising and respecting pupils of other faiths and non‑religious backgrounds. A strong emphasis is placed on holistic education, combining academic standards with a broad range of experiences to prepare children for further education and a rapidly changing society. The school promotes continuous professional development for its staff and encourages active parental involvement through a Parents Association. Initiatives such as a weekly lotto fundraiser support the acquisition of IT equipment, sports gear and classroom resources, enhancing the learning environment. In addition, the school provides a curated list of online educational resources, including Irish language sites, maths games and science portals, to supplement classroom teaching and support distance learning.
Applying to Walsh Island 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Walsh Island 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 Walsh Island National School
How many pupils attend Walsh Island National School?
Walsh Island National School has 83 pupils enrolled, 41 girls and 42 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Walsh Island National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Walsh Island 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 Walsh Island National School?
Walsh Island National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.