Schools directory
Schools in Kilkenny
Explore and filter 88 schools across the county.
Browse by town or explore the map
Browse schools by town
Where schools are in Kilkenny
Each badge shows how many schools are in that town, click one to see them all.
Schools in Kilkenny
Kilkenny has 73 primary and 15 secondary schools listed across 20 towns. Compare them by enrolment, ethos, DEIS status, Gaeltacht status and gender using the filters above, then contact a school directly about admissions and term dates.
Applying for a school place
Each school publishes its own admissions policy. Primary places are usually applied for the year before junior infants, apply early, as popular schools keep waiting lists.
Term dates & holidays
Irish schools share a standardised school year. See the full 2026/27 term dates and school calendar for mid-terms, Christmas and Easter breaks.
DEIS & Gaeltacht
DEIS schools receive extra resources to support disadvantaged communities. Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools teach through Irish. Filter above to see which schools in Kilkenny qualify.
Schools in Kilkenny, FAQs
How many schools are there in Kilkenny?
This directory lists 88 schools in Kilkenny, 73 primary and 15 secondary, across 20 towns. Filter above by town, type, DEIS status, Gaeltacht or gender to narrow the list.
How do I enrol my child in a school in Kilkenny?
Contact the school directly for its admissions policy and application form. Primary school places are usually applied for in the year before your child starts (junior infants), and popular schools can have waiting lists, so apply early. Every school must publish an admissions policy setting out how places are offered.
What does DEIS mean?
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) is the Department of Education programme giving extra resources to schools serving communities at risk of disadvantage. 17 schools in Kilkenny have DEIS status.
What are the school term dates for Kilkenny?
Irish schools follow a standardised school year set by the Department of Education, so term and holiday dates are broadly the same nationwide. See our school-holidays pages for the full 2026/27 calendar, mid-terms, Christmas and Easter breaks. Individual schools set a small number of discretionary closure days.
What is a Gaelscoil or Gaeltacht school?
A Gaelscoil teaches through the medium of Irish outside Gaeltacht areas, while Gaeltacht schools serve Irish-speaking regions. Use the filters above to explore Irish-language options.