Scoil Ailbhe, Caherelly N.S.
Ballybricken, Grange, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, V35 T283
Office Hours 9am - 2pm 061 351812 Email: [email protected]
Principal's Welcome
As Principal of the Scoil Ailbhe, Caherelly, in the parish of Ballybricken-Bohermore, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. I would like to thank you for taking the time to explore our site and I hope that you will return time and time again for regular updates. Our website hopes to provide an insight into the everyday life of our school including the wonderful and unique opportunities that are afforded to our pupils. The website also contains lots of valuable information for parents and those in the wider community.
In an effort to develop intellectual, physical, cultural, moral, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, we constantly endeavour to provide best practice in education for all our pupils at Scoil Ailbhe, Caherelly NS. We believe that a broad balanced educational experience within a caring environment promotes positive attitudes towards learning enabling each of our pupils to recognise their talents and achieve their full potential. We are an inclusive and welcoming school.
With the above in mind, I am always extremely grateful to the hard work and goodwill of our parents, pupils, teachers, SNAs, caretaker, as well as our Parents Association, Board of Management and the wider community of Ballybricken; all of whom help make an inclusive, warm and welcoming school that it is.
Le meas,
Niamh McGuinness
Check out our latest newsletter here....
Dates to Remember 2026/27
Wednesday August 26th - First Day of School
Monday September 14th Early Finish for Staff Meeting 12.30pm.
Friday October 23rd - Midterm Break @2.50pm
Monday December 21st - Christmas Shows time TBC (During School hours)
Tuesday December 22nd - Christmas Holidays @12pm
Wednesday January 6th - School reopens
Monday February 1st - Bank Holiday
Wednesday February 17th - Midterm Break (2 days off) @2.50pm
Wednesday March 17th - Bank Holiday
Friday March 19th - Easter Holidays @12pm
Monday April 5th - School reopens
Monday May 3rd - Bank Holiday
Monday June 7th - Bank Holiday
Thursday June 10th - School Closure for New Curriculum Training
Wednesday June 16th - Graduation time TBC (During School hours)
Friday June 18th - Summer Holidays @12pm
*Please note there are mandatory whole-school closures sanctioned for Irish primary schools to support the rollout of the redeveloped primary curriculum during the 2026/2027 school year. According to Circular 0052/2026, which was issued by the Department of Education, schools have been allocated 4 full school closure days for professional development and curriculum planning.
Wednesday August 26th - First Day of School
Monday September 14th Early Finish for Staff Meeting 12.30pm.
Friday October 23rd - Midterm Break @2.50pm
Monday December 21st - Christmas Shows time TBC (During School hours)
Tuesday December 22nd - Christmas Holidays @12pm
Wednesday January 6th - School reopens
Monday February 1st - Bank Holiday
Wednesday February 17th - Midterm Break (2 days off) @2.50pm
Wednesday March 17th - Bank Holiday
Friday March 19th - Easter Holidays @12pm
Monday April 5th - School reopens
Monday May 3rd - Bank Holiday
Monday June 7th - Bank Holiday
Thursday June 10th - School Closure for New Curriculum Training
Wednesday June 16th - Graduation time TBC (During School hours)
Friday June 18th - Summer Holidays @12pm
*Please note there are mandatory whole-school closures sanctioned for Irish primary schools to support the rollout of the redeveloped primary curriculum during the 2026/2027 school year. According to Circular 0052/2026, which was issued by the Department of Education, schools have been allocated 4 full school closure days for professional development and curriculum planning.
Publication of Department of Education Primary School Survey Results
Scoil Ailbhe has received the school-specific findings from the recent Primary School Survey overseen by the Department of Education and Youth.
The survey aimed to understand parental preferences regarding co-education, school patronage, and language configurations. We are pleased to share that 42% of our school's households participated in this process.
Key Findings for Scoil Ailbhe:
You can access and read the complete PDF report here: 18030i_nps_en__1_.pdf
How to Share Your Feedback: In alignment with the Department's request for schools to engage openly with their communities, we invite all parents, guardians, and stakeholders to share their views on these findings.
Please submit any feedback or comments via email to [email protected]
Scoil Ailbhe has received the school-specific findings from the recent Primary School Survey overseen by the Department of Education and Youth.
The survey aimed to understand parental preferences regarding co-education, school patronage, and language configurations. We are pleased to share that 42% of our school's households participated in this process.
Key Findings for Scoil Ailbhe:
- Structure: 100% of respondents prefer a co-educational school configuration.
- Ethos: 60% of respondents favor our current configuration of a denominational (religious) patron, while 40% prefer a multi-denominational patron.
- Language: 80% prefer our current configuration of education through English, while 20% prefer education through Irish.
You can access and read the complete PDF report here: 18030i_nps_en__1_.pdf
How to Share Your Feedback: In alignment with the Department's request for schools to engage openly with their communities, we invite all parents, guardians, and stakeholders to share their views on these findings.
Please submit any feedback or comments via email to [email protected]
NEW BUILDING
The Board of Management, are delighted to announce that Caherelly NS has been granted full funding by the Department of Education for a two classroom build, including offices, quiet spaces, skills room, toilets, soft play area and sensory garden along with ancillary services. Here is a draft of one of the proposed designs. Whatever the final design, it will be an impressive building and will be fantastic for our school, children and community.
Participation in the NextGenerationEU Funded Project
This school received a grant in 2021 to implement initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide and support our learners at risk of educational disadvantage as a consequence, as part of the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) — a project under the Recovery and Resilience Facility funded by the European Union through NextGenerationEU.
This funding was used to:
· Provide digital devices, such as laptops, tablets, or Chromebooks, for loan to students who lacked access at home, helping to ensure equitable participation in both in‑school and remote learning.
· Upgrade interactive classroom technology— interactive whiteboards, flat‑panel screens—to enrich teaching, learning, and STEAM engagement (e.g., coding, computational thinking, digital storytelling).
· Enhance our broadband and digital infrastructure, ensuring reliable access to online resources and learning platforms for all students.
· Fund software, apps, or digital platforms that support curriculum delivery, including literacy, languages, digital portfolios, or wellbeing‑focused tools.
This investment is already empowering our students to fully engage with digital learning, develop vital digital skills, and participate more inclusively in our school community.
This school received a grant in 2021 to implement initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide and support our learners at risk of educational disadvantage as a consequence, as part of the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) — a project under the Recovery and Resilience Facility funded by the European Union through NextGenerationEU.
This funding was used to:
· Provide digital devices, such as laptops, tablets, or Chromebooks, for loan to students who lacked access at home, helping to ensure equitable participation in both in‑school and remote learning.
· Upgrade interactive classroom technology— interactive whiteboards, flat‑panel screens—to enrich teaching, learning, and STEAM engagement (e.g., coding, computational thinking, digital storytelling).
· Enhance our broadband and digital infrastructure, ensuring reliable access to online resources and learning platforms for all students.
· Fund software, apps, or digital platforms that support curriculum delivery, including literacy, languages, digital portfolios, or wellbeing‑focused tools.
This investment is already empowering our students to fully engage with digital learning, develop vital digital skills, and participate more inclusively in our school community.