How many pupils go to Scoil Bhride?

Scoil Bhride has 244 pupils: 131 boys and 113 girls, according to the Department of Education's latest figures.

Is Scoil Bhride a mixed school?

Yes. Scoil Bhride takes both boys and girls.

What is the ethos of Scoil Bhride?

Scoil Bhride has a Catholic ethos. The ethos is set by the school's patron and shapes religious education and some admission rules.

Does Scoil Bhride teach through Irish?

No. Scoil Bhride teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Scoil Bhride a DEIS school?

Yes. Scoil Bhride is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools in disadvantaged areas.

Where can I read Scoil Bhride's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Bhride's roll number, 20071L, or use the link on this page.

What other primary schools are near Scoil Bhride?

The closest is SN Naomh Colmcille. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, ethos and language.

Scoil Bhride

Rathdowney, Co. Laois

244 pupilsMixedCatholicDEIS

Work-to-rule: no supervision before or after school while it lasts. Check with the school. What it means

At a glance

Scoil Bhride is a primary school in Rathdowney, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 H773). Padraig Kiely is the principal of Scoil Bhride, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Pupils: 244
Boys and girls: Mixed · 131 boys, 113 girls
Ethos: Catholic
Language: English-medium
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Type: Mainstream
Roll number: 20071L

Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie

Compare with another school

Explained: what DEIS means · school ethos · how admissions work · how to choose a school

Starting junior infants in September 2027

We haven't found Scoil Bhride's junior infant enrolment dates for September 2027 yet. Most primary schools take applications in the autumn and winter before; the school's admission notice has the exact window.

We check school websites every week and add dates as soon as they're published.

When can my child start school? · How admissions work

Questions parents ask

Where is Scoil Bhride?: Scoil Bhride is a primary school in Rathdowney, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 H773).
Who is the principal of Scoil Bhride?: Padraig Kiely is the principal of Scoil Bhride, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
How many pupils go to Scoil Bhride?: Scoil Bhride has 244 pupils: 131 boys and 113 girls, according to the Department of Education's latest figures.
Is Scoil Bhride a mixed school?: Yes. Scoil Bhride takes both boys and girls.
What is the ethos of Scoil Bhride?: Scoil Bhride has a Catholic ethos. The ethos is set by the school's patron and shapes religious education and some admission rules.
Does Scoil Bhride teach through Irish?: No. Scoil Bhride teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Is Scoil Bhride a DEIS school?: Yes. Scoil Bhride is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools in disadvantaged areas.
Where can I read Scoil Bhride's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Bhride's roll number, 20071L, or use the link on this page.
What other primary schools are near Scoil Bhride?: The closest is SN Naomh Colmcille. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, ethos and language.

Closest schools

Scoil Bhride compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Pupils	Boys and girls	Ethos	Irish-medium	DEIS
Scoil BhrideThis school		244	Mixed	Catholic	No	Yes
SN Naomh ColmcillePortlaoise	5.2 km	71	Mixed	Catholic	No	No
Kiladooley Mixed NSBorris-in-Ossory	5.2 km	132	Mixed	Catholic	No	No
Cloch an Tsionnaigh NSAbbeyleix	6.8 km	64	Mixed	Catholic	No	No
Scoil Mhichil NaofaJohnstown	7.4 km	14	Mixed	Catholic	No	Yes
Scoil Tíghearnach NaofaRathdowney	9.0 km	108	Mixed	Catholic	No	No
SN Mhichil NaofaGalmoy (via Thurles)	9.4 km	62	Mixed	Catholic	No	No

Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.

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Contact

Rathdowney
Co. Laois
R32H773

Principal: Padraig Kiely on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 0505 46546
Email: [email protected]
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Secondary schools near here

For 5th and 6th class families: open nights, application dates and costs for the secondary schools closest to Scoil Bhride, on our sister site.

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Next school holidays

In 8 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
In 9 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
In 18 weeksFebruary mid-term breakThu, 18 February to Fri 19 February 2027

These dates are set for every primary school in Ireland. Check with Scoil Bhride for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar