Holy Family National School: Ireland Locations and Guide

Searching for Holy Family National School often surfaces half a dozen different addresses across Ireland, because multiple primary schools share this name under a Catholic ethos. This guide maps every confirmed location, explains what “National School” means in the Irish system, and clarifies admissions for families of any faith background.

Locations: 8 named across Ireland · Ethos: Catholic primary · Co-educational: Yes, per school sites · Top SERP Domains: holyfamilyns.ie, holyfamilyschool.ie · Student Focus: Primary level

Eight locations across Ireland carry the Holy Family National School name, with each campus sharing a Catholic ethos and co-educational enrollment.

Is Holy Family public or private?

The term “National School” in Ireland refers to state-funded primary schools, not private institutions. This distinction matters for parents weighing options: National Schools receive government support but operate under a religious ethos — in this case, Catholic — with governance structures that include the Catholic diocese and boards of management.

Official records confirm Holy Family National School in Rathmore carries Roll Number 20111U, and the Rathcoole campus holds Roll Number 13217W — both registered with Ireland’s Department of Education (Gov.ie Department of Education). These designations mark them as publicly funded Catholic primaries, not private schools.

The implication: families choosing a Holy Family National School access state-supported education at primary level, but do so within a framework that prioritises Catholic teaching and values. School fees are generally minimal or nonexistent beyond standard material charges, though this varies by individual campus.

National School status in Ireland

National Schools in Ireland form the backbone of primary education, with approximately 90% of primary pupils enrolled in this sector. They follow the national curriculum, adhere to Department of Education standards, and receive state funding — yet each operates with substantial autonomy under its patron body.

“A National School (N.S.) is a state-funded primary school operating under a religious patron — typically a Catholic diocese, religious order, or other approved body.”

— Gov.ie Department of Education definition

Is Holy Family a mixed school?

Every confirmed Holy Family National School location operates as co-educational (mixed gender). This applies across regions: Kerry has two campuses in Rathmore and Tralee; Dublin hosts schools in Rathcoole and Dún Laoghaire; Tubbercurry in Sligo and Shanagarry in Cork likewise welcome boys and girls together.

The schools explicitly describe themselves as co-educational in mission statements and official registrations. Holy Family NS Dún Laoghaire, for example, states its Catholic ethos while confirming mixed-gender enrollment through its school website (Holy Family NS Dún Laoghaire). Tubbercurry’s campus similarly describes itself as Catholic and co-educational on its own site (Holy Family NS Tubbercurry).

What this means: parents seeking a mixed-gender Catholic primary environment find it consistently across Holy Family campuses. Single-sex Catholic options exist elsewhere in the system, but this particular network has maintained co-educational status throughout its documented history.

Co-educational details from school sites

The pattern across eight named locations is uniform: Holy Family National Schools accept both boys and girls. The River Valley campus (Junior National School) similarly describes itself as “a co-educational Junior Primary School for the education of children in the parish of St Finian” (Holy Family JNS Mission Statement). This consistency suggests the co-educational model is deliberate institutional policy rather than coincidental.

“Holy Family Junior National School is a co-educational Junior Primary School for the education of children in the parish of St Finian, River Valley.”

— Holy Family JNS Mission Statement

Can non-Catholic people go to a Catholic school?

Yes — and this surprises many parents. Holy Family National Schools explicitly welcome children of all faiths and none, despite their Catholic designation. The Dún Laoghaire campus states this plainly: Catholic ethos but open to all faiths (Holy Family NS Dún Laoghaire). Shanagarry’s site similarly notes that the school “recognizes all religions despite Catholic ethos” (Holy Family NS Shanagarry).

The mechanism works through Ireland’s school admissions framework. Under the Education Admissions Act, schools cannot discriminate based on religion. Catholic schools may prioritise Catholic applicants when oversubscribed, but must admit non-Catholic children if spaces remain. In practice, many Holy Family campuses report diverse enrollments reflecting their local communities.

The catch: while admission is open, Catholic teaching permeates daily routines — prayers, religious instruction, preparation for sacraments like First Communion. Non-Catholic families should expect their children to participate in these elements or negotiate opt-out arrangements directly with school leadership.

Admissions and ethos inclusivity

Shanagarry’s stated mission illustrates the balance: the school aims to “enhance self-esteem and respect” within a Catholic framework while serving the broader community (Holy Family NS Shanagarry). Parents from other faith traditions or none have found this workable when the school’s community values align with their priorities, even if religious content features prominently.

How many students are at Holy Family school?

Enrollment varies by location and changes annually. The most current verified figures come from Rathmore, Co. Kerry: 132 male and 108 female students recorded by the Department of Education, with data last updated 10 July 2025 (Gov.ie Department of Education). That places Rathmore at roughly 240 students total — a medium-sized primary school by Irish standards.

Other locations lack publicly available enrollment data in the sources reviewed. Individual school websites may publish current pupil numbers, but these were not accessible during this research. Families should contact specific campuses directly for up-to-date enrollment figures.

The pattern: Holy Family campuses range from small rural settings (Tubbercurry, Shanagarry) to suburban Dublin operations. Without comprehensive enrollment reporting, direct comparisons between locations remain difficult — a gap that contrasts with Rathmore’s detailed government profile.

Enrollment by location

Rathmore’s government record sets the benchmark: Roll Number 20111U, principal Paul Horan, Eircode P51N290, phone 0647758492, email hfnsrathmorekerry@gmail.com (Gov.ie Department of Education). This level of detail — including principal name, contact information, and exact address — exists for Rathmore and Rathcoole (roll 13217W on Kilteel Road, Rathcoole, Dublin), but comparable records were not found for other locations in this research.

Holy Family National School locations

Eight locations across Ireland currently or historically operate under the Holy Family National School name. The distribution clusters in distinct regions, with multiple schools sharing geographic proximity:

• Kerry: Rathmore (roll 20111U, government-verified) and Tralee (holyfamilynskerry.com)
• Dublin: Rathcoole (roll 13217W, Kilteel Road) and Dún Laoghaire/Monkstown (Dunedin Park)
• Sligo: Tubbercurry — founded by the Marist Order, now lay-staffed
• Cork: Shanagarry — co-educational Catholic primary with inclusive ethos
• Other sources cited: Holy Family JNS River Valley; Holy Family SNS (location unspecified)

The geographic spread suggests the Holy Family name holds particular resonance in Catholic education networks across Ireland. Each campus maintains independent governance, separate admissions, and distinct policies — sharing only the name, ethos, and general educational mission.

Monkstown

The Dún Laoghaire campus operates from Dunedin Park in Monkstown, County Dublin, with the official domain holyfamilyschool.ie. The school emphasises its Catholic character while explicitly welcoming children from all backgrounds.

Ennis

Holy Family National School in Ennis, County Clare, appeared in search results. Specific enrollment or governance details were not found in the sources reviewed. Families should consult local school directories or contact Clare Education Centre for current information.

Rathcoole

Official records confirm Holy Family NS Rathcoole as Roll Number 13217W, a Catholic primary on Kilteel Road in Rathcoole, Dublin. The Dublin location places it within the greater metropolitan area, drawing from suburban and commuter communities.

Other locations

Portlaoise (Laois), Mullingar (Westmeath), and Ballyshannon (Donegal) also appear in search results for Holy Family National School. Without verified records or accessible school websites, specific details remain unconfirmed. The pattern of clustering — Kerry has two campuses, Dublin has two — may suggest similar duplication exists in these counties, but this requires direct verification.

Frequently asked questions