Whitecross Primary School
Julianstown, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 373 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 174 girls, 199 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17705J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Whitecross National School is a co‑educational, vertical primary school situated in Julianstown, Co. Meath, catering for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school operates under a Catholic ethos while remaining inclusive and welcoming to pupils of all faiths and none. It provides a broad curriculum supported by a range of specialist facilities, including sixteen mainstream classrooms, five Special Educational Needs (SET) rooms, a dedicated GP Hall, a library and resource room, and a modern school garden. Two dedicated Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classes are also available, currently housed in temporary prefabricated units, with plans for a permanent extension underway. The learning environment is enriched by a strong emphasis on extracurricular and community‑based initiatives. Whitecross NS participates in the Active School Flag programme, promotes wellbeing through the Amber Flag, and engages students in digital projects such as the Colmcille folklore animation collaboration. Sporting achievements, notably in girls’ GAA, and cultural activities like the Viking research project, reflect the school’s commitment to holistic development. The school day runs from 8:45 am, with Infant classes finishing at 1:25 pm and all other classes at 2:25 pm, providing a structured yet flexible timetable for young learners.
History
The educational tradition in the Whitecross area dates back to the early 19th century hedge schools, with informal teaching taking place in Lisdornan, Cooperhill and other local sites. A formal national school was established in Whitecross in 1842 on land donated by Lord Trimbleston, serving the community for over a century. In 1951 a new two‑classroom school opened, blessed by the Bishop of Meath, and subsequent decades saw steady growth: a third teacher (1958), a third classroom and modern utilities (1961), central heating (1967) and prefabricated extensions (1967, 1970). The 1980s added four new classrooms and a purpose room, expanding the school to seven classrooms and a hall. Further development in 1990 introduced double prefabricated classrooms and a learning support room. A new permanent school building opened in 2021, offering 16 mainstream classrooms, five SET rooms, a GP Hall, library and resource facilities, alongside two ASD classes. The school was officially blessed by Bishop Tom Deenihan in November 2022, and in 2023 a third ASD class was introduced, raising the total to seventeen mainstream classes.
Applying to Whitecross Primary 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 Whitecross Primary 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 Whitecross Primary School
How many pupils attend Whitecross Primary School?
Whitecross Primary School has 373 pupils enrolled, 174 girls and 199 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Whitecross Primary School a DEIS school?
No. Whitecross Primary 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 Whitecross Primary School?
Whitecross Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.