Walshestown National School
Clogherhead, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 95 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 44 girls, 51 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 03787L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Walshestown National School is a mixed, co‑educational primary school serving the Walshestown and Grangebellew community in County Louth. With around 105 pupils, the school follows a holistic educational philosophy that nurtures spiritual, physical, social, emotional, intellectual, creative and artistic development. The ethos is built on five core values – kindness, positivity, optimism, inclusion and patience – which guide everyday learning and interactions, fostering a warm, respectful and inclusive environment for all children. The campus occupies roughly half a hectare and offers a range of modern facilities. Five dedicated classrooms, a purpose‑built hall, a well‑stocked library, a computer suite and specialised spaces such as a Learning Support room, a Resource room and a dedicated SEN classroom support diverse learning needs. Recent extensions added in 2005 and 2009, with further development currently underway, provide additional teaching spaces and enhance the overall learning environment. The school also promotes active parental partnership, encouraging families to engage in the children’s education and wellbeing.
History
A school has operated in Walshestown since 1904. The institution relocated to its present site in 1965, and major renovations with extra rooms were completed in 2005 and 2009. A further extension is currently under construction, reflecting ongoing investment in the school’s facilities.
Applying to Walshestown 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 Walshestown 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 Walshestown National School
How many pupils attend Walshestown National School?
Walshestown National School has 95 pupils enrolled, 44 girls and 51 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Walshestown National School a DEIS school?
No. Walshestown 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 Walshestown National School?
Walshestown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.