Clarecastle National School
Ennis Road, Clarecastle, Co. Clare · V95 T253 · Roll number 17026M
Clarecastle National School is one of 12 primary schools in or within 3 km of Ennis. Every school in and around Ennis →
What stands out about Clarecastle National School
- One of the larger primary schools: 362 pupils, against a typical 131.
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (+0%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- In DEIS. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) gives schools serving disadvantaged areas more teachers, money and support; the Department decides which schools are in it.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Killaloe; its ethos is Catholic.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Clarecastle National School had 362 pupils in 2025/26, down from 378 in 2015/16 (−4%). Girls are 49% of them. Its largest roll was 392, in 2017/18. Its roll rose in 4 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Clarecastle National School
Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing schools by them, so this school has no letter and nothing here ranks it. Its facts are the Department of Education’s; its inspection reports are linked below.
What the Department of Education does publish for Clarecastle National School is on this page: its pupils each September since 2015/16, girls and boys, its patron and ethos, whether it teaches through Irish, whether it is in DEIS, and its inspection reports.
Newspapers print lists of how many of a school’s leavers go on to college. Those count destinations, not exam results, and depend on who a school takes in; we don’t use them.
Inspection reports on Clarecastle National School
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate visits schools and publishes its reports. The reports describe what inspectors saw; they give no overall grade, and we don’t make one. Reports for this school on gov.ie ↗
Inspectors visit every kind of school. Whole-school evaluations look at teaching and learning, leadership and management; subject inspections look at one subject; follow-through inspections check whether earlier advice was taken. Each report is published on gov.ie with the school’s response.
Getting a place at Clarecastle National School
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Clarecastle National School directly. Children can start once they are four and must be in school by six; the school’s yearly admission notice gives the dates for applying and for its decisions.
A school with more applicants than places admits on the criteria in its admission policy, often brothers and sisters, the area it serves and, for post-primary schools, its feeder primaries. A family refused a place can appeal.
It is in DEIS, so it has extra support for pupils from disadvantaged areas. Places in special classes and special schools are allocated with the National Council for Special Education.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Clarecastle National School is about the size it was in 2019/20 (+0%). All the schools around Ennis together changed by +1%.
Pupils since 2019/20
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).
Side by side with the nearest primary schools
2025/26The nearest schools of the same kind, as the crow flies: their pupils, ethos and language. No results: none are published.
Of the 6 nearest primary schools, 2 have more pupils than Clarecastle National School. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +0%; 3 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarecastle National School | 362 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | |
| Ennis N.S. | 615 | −4% | Catholic | English | 2.7 km | |
| Holy Family Snr | 306 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 2.9 km |
| Holy Family Junior School | 167 | +15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 2.9 km |
| Bunscoil na mBraithre | 643 | −4% | Catholic | English | 3.5 km | |
| Chriost Ri | 226 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 3.7 km |
| S.N. Dubh Rath | 113 | +28% | Catholic | English | 3.9 km |
The other 102 primary schools in Co. Clare
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gael Sc Mhichil Chiosog | 451 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 4.4 km | |
| Ennis Educate Together NS | 144 | +125% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 4.8 km |
| S.N. Cnoc an Ein | 262 | −8% | Catholic | English | 5 km | |
| Ballyea Mixed N.S. | 212 | +2% | Catholic | English | 5.4 km | |
| Inch N.S. | 104 | +13% | Catholic | English | 6 km | |
| Scoil na Mainistreach Quin Dangan | 331 | +14% | Catholic | English | 7.4 km | |
| Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire | 238 | −1% | Catholic | English | 7.7 km | |
| Barefield Mixed N.S. | 390 | +1% | Catholic | English | 8.4 km | |
| Kilnamona N.S. | 85 | −21% | Catholic | English | 9.2 km | |
| Toonagh N.S. | 75 | −27% | Catholic | English | 9.2 km | |
| Kilmaley N.S. | 88 | −18% | Catholic | English | 9.4 km | |
| Clooney N.S. | 48 | −41% | Catholic | English | 9.5 km | |
| Ballycar N.S. | 34 | +13% | Catholic | English | 9.6 km | |
| S N Chathair Aodha | 27 | −41% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Stonehall N.S. | 101 | −11% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| S N Baile na Cailli | 52 | −5% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Ruan Central N.S. | 75 | −29% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. Cill Muire | 65 | −32% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Cluain Draigneach | 5 | – | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| St Aidans N.S. | 260 | +3% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Naomh Tola | 218 | −4% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Gaelscoil Donncha Rua | 68 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 14 km |
| Shannon Airport No 2 NS | 51 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 14 km | |
| St Conaires N.S. | 338 | −19% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Shannon Airport 1 N.S. | 113 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Inchicronan Central N.S. | 158 | +10% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Connolly N.S. | 27 | −36% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Cluain Muinge | 205 | +16% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| St Mochullas N.S. | 259 | −2% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Sixmilebridge N.S. | 423 | −21% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Kilkishen N.S. | 134 | +2% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Naisiunta | 102 | −11% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Eidhneach N.S. | 150 | −1% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Lissycasey N.S. | 167 | −7% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Kildysart N.S. | 122 | −9% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Kilnaboy N.S. | 80 | −5% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Cratloe N.S. | 278 | −2% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Tubber N.S. | 40 | +67% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| O Callaghans Mills N.S. | 29 | −52% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| S.N. Cluain an Atha | 19 | −37% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Colm Cille | 58 | +16% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| SN na Crannaighe | 32 | – | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Broadford & Kilbane National School | 136 | +16% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Forgleann N.S. | 7 | −68% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| Coolmeen N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Boston N.S. | 24 | −29% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire Miliuc | 84 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 68 | +11% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| St Fachnan & St Attractas N.S. | 57 | +12% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Cronain Nfa an Carn | 15 | – | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Coore National School | 30 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Kilmihil N.S. | 96 | +0% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Mol an Óige Community National School | 158 | +46% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Ennistymon National School | 64 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Scoil Mhichil | 66 | +43% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Rockmount Mixed N.S. | 23 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S N Iosef Naofa | 29 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 26 km | |
| Dromindoora N.S. | 23 | −43% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Bodyke N.S. | 27 | −13% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. an Phairtin Mixed | 317 | −3% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Saint Marys N.S. Lahinch | 166 | +26% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Kilmurry McMahon National School | 63 | −6% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Flagmount Central N.S. | 35 | +21% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Labasheeda Central N.S. | 30 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| S.N. Aibhistin Naofa | 21 | −30% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Rineen N.S. | 35 | −19% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Miltown Malbay B N.S. | 128 | +20% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Scoil Seanain Naofa | 276 | −12% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Annagh N.S. | 81 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| Tomgraney N.S. | 47 | −27% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Mullach N.S. | 53 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| S.N. Baile an Droichid | 107 | +2% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Raheen Wood Community National School | 102 | +10% | Multi-denominational | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. Liosceanuir | 105 | +46% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Scariff Central N.S. | 142 | +1% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| St. Josephs National School Cree | 38 | – | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Lisdoonvarna N.S. | 143 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Quilty N.S. | 49 | +81% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Cooraclare B N.S. | 78 | −20% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Burrane N.S. | 17 | −39% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Cnoc Doire | 17 | −48% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Clohanes N.S. | 22 | −24% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Doolin Mixed N.S. | 93 | −5% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Ogonnelloe National School | 101 | −11% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Eoin Baiste | 42 | +40% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Killaloe Boys N.S. | 104 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| Mercy Convent Killaloe | 97 | −16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| New Quay N.S. | 31 | +29% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Scoil an Sraith S.N. | 15 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Inis Cealtrach | 71 | +8% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Doonbeg N.S. | 63 | +13% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Nfa Fanoir | 25 | −14% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Gaelscoil Ui Choimin | 61 | −5% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 40 km |
| Convent of Mercy National School | 329 | +7% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| S.N. Ma Sheasta | 37 | −30% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| Lakyle N.S. | 47 | −41% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Bansha N.S. | 7 | −78% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Scoil Realt na Mara | 134 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 48 km |
| Doonaha N.S. | 21 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| Moveen N.S. | 39 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Carrigaholt Mixed N.S. | 30 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| S.N. Cuan | 19 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 66 km |
Living in Ennis
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the V95 Eircode area
Housing in Ennis →The median sale price rose from €251,500 in 2023 to €320,000 in 2025 (+27%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the V95 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Ennis
Cost of living in Ennis →New tenancies in Ennis averaged €1,157 a month in 2025, against €1,095 in 2024 (+6%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Ennis, V95 T253
Primary schools near Clarecastle National School
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Clarecastle National School
Is Clarecastle National School a good school?
We don’t grade it: Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them. Its inspection reports on gov.ie, a visit and a talk with the principal will tell you more than any table could.
How many pupils does Clarecastle National School have?
362 pupils in 2025/26. That is +0% since 2019/20.
Does Clarecastle National School teach through Irish?
No: Clarecastle National School teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Clarecastle National School?
Clarecastle National School has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Killaloe.
How do pupils get a place at Clarecastle National School?
Apply to the school directly. It publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice with its dates; if more children apply than it has places, it admits on the criteria in its policy.
Which schools of the same kind are near Clarecastle National School?
The nearest are Ennis N.S. (2.7 km), Holy Family Snr (2.9 km) and Holy Family Junior School (2.9 km).
Sources: Department of Education, school lists 2025/26 (preliminary) and enrolments since 2015/16, CC BY 4.0 · inspection reports on gov.ie, linked by roll number. Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Facts from the Department of Education’s school lists. Listed with Ennis; nothing here rates the school.
Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).