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Spunkane, Waterville, Co. Kerry · V23 AX51 · Roll number 16014A
St Finians is the only one of the primary schools in or within 3 km of Waterville. Every school in and around Waterville →
What stands out about St Finians
- 110 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (+10%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Kerry; its ethos is Catholic.
- The only primary school in Waterville or within 3 km of it.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26St Finians had 110 pupils in 2025/26, against 99 in 2015/16 (+11%). Girls are 59% of them. Its largest roll was 111, in 2023/24. 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 St Finians
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 St Finians 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 St Finians
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 St Finians
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to St Finians 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.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: St Finians has grown by 10% since 2019/20. All the schools around Waterville together changed by +10%.
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.
St Finians has more pupils than any of the 6 nearest primary schools. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +10%; 2 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Finians | 110 | +10% | Catholic | English | ||
| S N Naomh Mhichil | 46 | −10% | Catholic | All in Irish | 6.5 km | |
| Aghatubrid N.S. | 48 | −36% | Catholic | English | 7.3 km | |
| Crochan Naofa N.S. | 49 | +14% | Catholic | English | 8.7 km | |
| S.N. Cillin Liath | 45 | −13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 11 km |
| Scoil an Ghleanna Scoil Náisiúnta Phobail | 29 | – | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 11 km | |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 40 | +100% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
The other 123 primary schools in Co. Kerry
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caherciveen N.S. | 148 | +24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| S.N. Dar Earca | 47 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Scoil Bhreanainn | 97 | +62% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| S.N na Faille Móire | 77 | +38% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Micheal | 75 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Tahilla Community National School | 29 | – | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| Boheshill Mxd | 18 | −42% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S.N. Gleann Beithe | 106 | +41% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Lauragh National School | 17 | – | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S N Réalt na Mara | 85 | +13% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Curraheen Mxd N.S. | 38 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Eoin Baiste | 112 | −6% | Catholic | All in Irish | 34 km | |
| Scoil Caitlin Naofa | 8 | −60% | Catholic | All in Irish | 34 km | |
| Scoil na mBraithre | 67 | +63% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 34 km |
| Clochar Daingean | 141 | +24% | Catholic | All in Irish | 35 km | |
| Glounaguillagh N.S. | 137 | −1% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Ceann Tra Meascaithe | 62 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | 35 km | |
| Scoil Realt na Mara | 119 | −20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| An Bhreac Chluain B | 97 | −6% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S N Naomh Gobnait | 38 | +12% | Catholic | All in Irish | 38 km | |
| S.N. an Ghleanna | 24 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | 38 km | |
| Gaelscoil Naomh Séamas | 43 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 39 km |
| Kilgobnet N.S. | 92 | +12% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Scoil an Fhirtearaigh | 38 | −45% | Catholic | All in Irish | 40 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B | 367 | −5% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| St Johns NS | 395 | −7% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Mhaolcheadair | 31 | +0% | Catholic | All in Irish | 41 km | |
| S.N. an Chuilleanaig | 152 | −6% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Fibough National School | 25 | −17% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Eirc | 68 | +26% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 44 km |
| Tulloha National School | 23 | −41% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| S.N. an Chlochan | 55 | +57% | Catholic | All in Irish | 45 km | |
| Cahir National School | 25 | −57% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Aghacasla N.S. | 107 | +9% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Nagle Rice Primary School | 337 | −9% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Castledrum N.S. | 107 | +4% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Faha National School | 224 | +5% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| S.N. an Fhossa | 246 | −4% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Castlegregory Mxd N.S. | 147 | +7% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Castlemaine N.S. | 123 | +54% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| Kiltallagh N.S. | 21 | −34% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Kilgarvan Central Schl | 99 | +9% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Derryquay Mxd N.S. | 32 | −18% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire na Mainistreach | 167 | −11% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Holy Cross Primary School | 345 | −11% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Two Mile Community National School | 46 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 52 km | |
| St Olivers N.S. | 625 | −7% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| Scoil Bhríde | 129 | +13% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| Gaelscoil Faithleann | 245 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 53 km | |
| Loughguitane N.S. | 90 | −11% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| St Brendans N.S. | 43 | −35% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Carthach | 42 | +62% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| Firies Mxd N.S. | 250 | −8% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| Lissivigeen Mxd N.S. | 269 | −7% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| S.N. Breandan Naofa | 207 | +2% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Spa National School | 230 | +8% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| Coolick National School | 113 | +31% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cuimin | 113 | −29% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| Tiernaboul N.S. | 57 | +8% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Naomh Padraig Measc | 168 | −15% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Knockaderry Farranfore National School | 53 | −20% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Holy Family | 265 | +23% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| Glenflesk N.S. | 35 | +3% | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| S N an Chroi Naofa | 342 | +26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 378 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| Scoil Eoin | 589 | −6% | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| St Johns Parochial School | 61 | +49% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| S N Mhuire na mBraithre | 414 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| Knockanes Mxd N.S. | 69 | +10% | Catholic | English | 59 km | |
| Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn | 415 | +20% | Catholic | All in Irish | 60 km | |
| Tralee Educate Together NS | 88 | −4% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 60 km |
| Scoil Mhuire agus N.treasa | 120 | −17% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| Ardfert Central N.S. | 215 | +6% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| S.N. Lios Teilic | 211 | −4% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| Scoil Nuachabhail | 98 | −31% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| S.N. Uaimh Bhreanainn | 209 | +15% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| Raheen National School | 34 | −6% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| Scoil Barr Dubh | 95 | +13% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| Clogher Mxd N.S. | 38 | +9% | Catholic | English | 63 km | |
| Scoil Atha na mBlath | 59 | −5% | Catholic | English | 63 km | |
| Scartaglin New Central School | 121 | −5% | Catholic | English | 65 km | |
| Muire Gan Smal | 123 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 66 km |
| S N Mainistir O dTorna | 121 | −26% | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Erc | 129 | −16% | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Eirc | 78 | −31% | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| Na Minteoga N.S. | 22 | −15% | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| Gaelscoil Naomh Aogain | 179 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | 66 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Chárthaigh | 53 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 66 km |
| S N na Srona | 28 | +0% | Catholic | English | 67 km | |
| Curranes N.S. | 86 | +2% | Catholic | English | 67 km | |
| Freastogail Mhuire Mxd | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| Scoil Naomh Iosef | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 68 km |
| S.N. Treasa Naofa Mxd | 105 | −28% | Catholic | English | 69 km | |
| Holy Family National School | 235 | +4% | Catholic | English | 69 km | |
| S.N. Gniomh Go Leith B | 131 | +8% | Catholic | English | 69 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B&C | 107 | +7% | Catholic | English | 69 km | |
| S.N. Cill Lúraigh | 93 | +21% | Catholic | English | 71 km | |
| Scoil Chriost Ri | 14 | −39% | Catholic | English | 72 km | |
| S.N. Bhaile an Chrosaigh | 18 | −54% | Catholic | English | 72 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire de Lourdes | 104 | +93% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 73 km |
| Lyre A Crompane N.S. | 28 | – | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 74 km |
| Loughfouder N.S. | 20 | −35% | Catholic | English | 75 km | |
| S.N. Sliabh A Mhadra | 107 | −27% | Catholic | English | 76 km | |
| Ballyduff National School | 96 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 77 km |
| Knocknagoshel National School | 40 | −30% | Catholic | English | 77 km | |
| Dromclough N.S. | 192 | −23% | Catholic | English | 77 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cruinn | 97 | −13% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 31 | −42% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 81 km |
| Knockaclarig Mxd N.S. | 47 | +0% | Catholic | English | 82 km | |
| Listowel Presentation Primary | 186 | −23% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 82 km |
| Realt na Maidne | 166 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 83 km |
| Scoil Íosagáin | 202 | +15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 83 km |
| Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail | 136 | +81% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 83 km |
| Eiltin Naofa | 71 | −36% | Catholic | English | 83 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Brid | 166 | −17% | Catholic | English | 84 km | |
| Coolard Mxd N.S. | 82 | −32% | Catholic | English | 85 km | |
| S.N. Cill Conla | 35 | −27% | Catholic | English | 87 km | |
| Scoil Chorp Chríost | 91 | +7% | Catholic | English | 89 km | |
| Scoil Easa Dhuibhe | 55 | −2% | Catholic | English | 90 km | |
| Murhur N.S. | 78 | +15% | Catholic | English | 92 km | |
| S N Oilibhear Naofa | 61 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 92 km |
| S.N. an Leana Mhoir | 19 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 92 km |
| Tarbert National School | 133 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 98 km |
Living in Waterville
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the V23 Eircode area
Housing in Waterville →The median sale price rose from €252,000 in 2023 to €292,500 in 2025 (+16%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the V23 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Co. Kerry
Cost of living in Waterville →New tenancies in Co. Kerry averaged €1,182 a month in 2025, against €1,085 in 2024 (+9%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗














Waterville, V23 AX51
Primary schools near St Finians
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about St Finians
Is St Finians 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 St Finians have?
110 pupils in 2025/26. That is +10% since 2019/20.
Does St Finians teach through Irish?
No: St Finians teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs St Finians?
St Finians has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Kerry.
How do pupils get a place at St Finians?
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 St Finians?
The nearest are S N Naomh Mhichil (6.5 km), Aghatubrid N.S. (7.3 km) and Crochan Naofa N.S. (8.7 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 Waterville; 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).