Ballyconnell National School, Ballyconnell, Tullow Co. Carlow R93VA44
Twelve teacher, co-educational school under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
Active Schools is a Department of Education initiative which aims to get the school children of Ireland more active on a day-to-day basis in school.
There are three main elements to this: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Partnerships.
Read MoreAs principal of St. Mary's N.S. Ballyconnell, I would like to welcome you to our school website. As a 14 teacher school in rural Carlow, (on the Carlow/Wickow border) we are immensely proud of our school community, (parents, children, staff, Parents Association and Board of Management). Please browse our website to see our many and varied activities and we plan to update the information on a regular basis.
Thank you, Mary Dolan
GOAL Jersey Day 2026
GOAL Jersey Day was on Friday, October 2nd this year. Once again, Ballyconnell NS was a kaleidoscope of colour with students and staff donning their jerseys to raise funds for GOAL. It was noticeable this year how many Wicklow jerseys there were; not surprising after Wicklow’s brilliant Tailteann Cup triumph against Down last July in Croke Park! Altogether, we raised €407 this year for GOAL. Míle buíochas to all who contributed.
6th Class Hoodies 2026
Our 6th class recently received their lovely class hoodies. Once again, our hoodies were sponsored by the local farmers group, ‘LegenDairy’. Our 6th class chose the design themselves and were thrilled when the Bodi-Bro-designed garments arrived in early May.
Local farmers, and members of the ‘LegenDairy’ group, Bobby Keogh, Will Griffin and Joe O’Grady, recently paid a visit to the school and are pictured below along with Rang a 6, Mrs Dolan, Seumas O’Brien (Board of Management Chairperson) and Mr Shane Byrne, class teacher.
Also part of the sponsorship group are: Paul Keogh, Peter Byrne, Hilton Dagge, Pat and Whelan (Munny) and John Gahan (Boley).
All at Ballyconnell NS would like to thank them for their generosity and continued support of the school.
Christmas Jumper Day 2025
On Friday 12th of December Ballyconnell School took part in Christmas Jumper Day in aid of LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice. A fantastic €349.75 was raised on the day. Peter Kenny on behalf of Laura Lynn foundation visited the school and was presented with the cheque.
The school endeavours to develop each child to their full potential in a happy, safe and secure working environment.
The school seeks to prepare its pupils for their academic lives and to prepare them for their full and active participation as citizens of their state. We feel that children should be aware of their responsibilities.
“Ón dearcán suarach a fhásann an dair ríoga”.
St Mary’s N.S. is a co-educational Catholic primary school, serving the people in the parish of Clonmore under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Bishop Denis Nulty.
The school has a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, while, at the same time, protecting the integrity and Catholic ethos of the school.
Our school caters for the full range of classes from Junior Infants to Sixth class as well as two Autism Spectrum Disorder Classes (one ASD preschool class and an ASD class for children aged 4-12).
Currently there are 12 full-time teachers on the staff, comprising of an administrative principal, 7 mainstream teachers, 2 learning support teachers, and 2 ASD class teachers.
Four full-time SNAs are employed in the ASD classes to assist the class teachers while 2 SNAs are employed in mainstream classes.
The school follows the curricular programme prescribed by the Department of Education and Science, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
Particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or other special educational need.
Of access to and participation in the school.
In relation to enrolment.
For the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society.
The school’s doors open from 9.10am to receive pupils
9:20am – 2:00pm (Junior & Senior Infants)
9:20am – 3:00pm (All other classes)
Morning Break: 11:00am – 11:10am
Classes resume: 11:10am to 12:45pm
Lunch break: 12:45pm – 1:15p.m.
3:00pm classes finish. School close.