Scoil Mhichil Naofa
Mount Hawkins, Athy, Co. Kildare · R14 XD86 · Roll number 18288B
Scoil Mhichil Naofa is one of 5 primary schools in or within 3 km of Athy. Every school in and around Athy →
What stands out about Scoil Mhichil Naofa
- One of the larger primary schools: 496 pupils, against a typical 131.
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Smaller than it was: 496 pupils, 20% fewer than the 621 of 2019/20.
- 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 Archbishop of Dublin; its ethos is Catholic.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Scoil Mhichil Naofa had 496 pupils in 2025/26, down from 669 in 2015/16 (−26%). Girls are 48% of them. Its roll rose in 2 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Scoil Mhichil Naofa
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 Scoil Mhichil Naofa 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 Scoil Mhichil Naofa
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 Scoil Mhichil Naofa
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Scoil Mhichil Naofa 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: Scoil Mhichil Naofa has shrunk by 20% since 2019/20. All the schools around Athy 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, 1 have more pupils than Scoil Mhichil Naofa. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −20%; 3 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoil Mhichil Naofa | 496 | −20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | |
| Athy Model School | 90 | −7% | Church of Ireland | English | 1 km | |
| Scoil Phadraig Naofa | 592 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 1.1 km |
| Gaelscoil Átha Í | 151 | −23% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | ✓ | 1.1 km |
| Shanganamore N.S. | 106 | −8% | Catholic | English | 4.6 km | |
| Ballyroe Central N.S. | 18 | −31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 4.8 km |
| Churchtown N.S. | 55 | −38% | Catholic | English | 5 km |
The other 95 primary schools in Co. Kildare
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilberry N.S. | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 6.9 km |
| S.N. Ide | 139 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 6.9 km |
| S.N. Cill Cae | 49 | −8% | Catholic | English | 7.8 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Lorcain | 34 | −36% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| S.N. Colmcill Naofa | 129 | +0% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Scoil Bhríde | 183 | −15% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| St Laurences N.S. | 259 | −11% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| S.N. Cill Daingin | 207 | −8% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Scoil Diarmada | 344 | −6% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Ballyshannon N.S. | 115 | −10% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| S.N. Bride | 55 | −15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| Monasterevan Convent | 377 | +5% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| St. John's National School | 45 | +2% | Church of Ireland | English | 17 km | |
| St Brigids N.S. | 167 | −5% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Pheadar | 239 | −0% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Ioseph | 51 | −12% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| S N na Cloiche Moire | 20 | −5% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| St Brigid's Kildare Town Primary School | 1,025 | +2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha | 215 | +45% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 19 km | |
| Kildare Town Educate Together NS | 417 | +0% | Multi-denominational | English | 19 km | |
| S.N. Bride | 101 | −31% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| St. Catherine of Sienna | 151 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 20 km |
| Scoil Bride | 304 | −4% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| St Brigids N.S. | 598 | −13% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Newbridge Educate Together NS | 406 | +2% | Multi-denominational | English | 22 km | |
| Gaelscoil Chill Dara | 288 | −24% | Catholic | All in Irish | 22 km | |
| Ballymany Junior N.S. | 333 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 389 | −8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 187 | −7% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| Brannoxtown Community N.S. | 83 | +295% | Multi-denominational | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Chonnla Phadraig | 306 | −11% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| St Conleths and Marys N.S. | 345 | −8% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| S.N. Connlaodh Naofa N | 285 | −25% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil na Naomh Uilig | 589 | −6% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 229 | +8% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil Bhride N.S. | 286 | −3% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Rathangan B N.S. | 308 | +7% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Ursaille Naofa | 236 | −7% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Almhaine N.S. | 184 | −18% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 216 | +13% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Killashee Multi-Denominational N.S. | 224 | −7% | Multi-denominational | English | 30 km | |
| St Davids N.S. | 98 | +5% | Church of Ireland | English | 30 km | |
| Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh | 385 | −8% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 31 km | |
| Caragh N.S. | 455 | −8% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Naas Community National School | 364 | +44% | Multi-denominational | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Baile Roibeaird | 173 | −16% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Scoil Chorbain | 460 | −11% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| An Linbh Iosa | 401 | −13% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Mercy Convent Primary School | 607 | +9% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Allenwood National School | 263 | +2% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Scoil Bríd | 612 | −8% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Oilibhear Plunglead | 88 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Coill Dubh | 182 | +8% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| St Laurences National School | 646 | −6% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 60 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Prosperous N.S. | 493 | −7% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Rath Mor | 308 | +9% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Hewetsons N.S. | 89 | +2% | Church of Ireland | English | 37 km | |
| St Patricks BNS | 488 | −7% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Bhride | 480 | −8% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Cianog Naofa | 90 | −10% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| St Conleths N.S. | 278 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 39 km |
| S.N. Brighde | 744 | +12% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Mhuire | 105 | +12% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Rathcoffey N.S. | 215 | −4% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| St Annes National School | 329 | −1% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Straffan N.S. | 401 | +7% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Scoil Treasa | 100 | −12% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| S.N. Cloch Rinnce | 137 | −11% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| S.N. Tir Mochain | 100 | −17% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| S.N. Baile Mhic Adaim | 85 | +18% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| St Patricks N.S. | 87 | −30% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Newtown N.S. | 110 | +20% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| North Kildare Educate Together NS | 432 | +14% | Multi-denominational | English | 47 km | |
| S N na Maighdine Mhuire | 60 | −10% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Scoil na Mainistreach | 455 | +8% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Padraig | 374 | −10% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Primrose Hill N.S. | 109 | −4% | Church of Ireland | English | 48 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 235 | −43% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Aghards N.S. | 660 | −5% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| Scoil Uí Riada | 484 | −7% | Catholic | All in Irish | 49 km | |
| St Josephs N.S. | 423 | +5% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Scoil Ui Fhiaich | 459 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 50 km | |
| Maynooth Educate Together National School | 415 | +46% | Multi-denominational | English | 50 km | |
| Scoil Chóca Naofa | 467 | +18% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Maynooth B N.S. | 595 | +4% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Presentation Girls Primary School | 621 | +0% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Gaelscoil Ruairí | 173 | – | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 51 km | |
| Leixlip Educate Together National School | 207 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil Eoin Phoil | 264 | −19% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil Bhride | 295 | −5% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 289 | −6% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil C.ui Dhalaigh | 376 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | 52 km | |
| San Carlo Senior N.S. | 301 | +13% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| San Carlo Junior N.S. | 265 | −0% | Catholic | English | 53 km |
Living in Athy
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the R14 Eircode area
Housing in Athy →The median sale price rose from €229,000 in 2023 to €345,000 in 2025 (+51%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the R14 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Athy
Cost of living in Athy →New tenancies in Athy averaged €1,321 a month in 2025, against €1,212 in 2024 (+9%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Athy, R14 XD86
Primary schools near Scoil Mhichil Naofa
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Scoil Mhichil Naofa
Is Scoil Mhichil Naofa 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 Scoil Mhichil Naofa have?
496 pupils in 2025/26. That is −20% since 2019/20.
Does Scoil Mhichil Naofa teach through Irish?
No: Scoil Mhichil Naofa teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Scoil Mhichil Naofa?
Scoil Mhichil Naofa has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Dublin.
How do pupils get a place at Scoil Mhichil Naofa?
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 Scoil Mhichil Naofa?
The nearest are Athy Model School (1 km), Scoil Phadraig Naofa (1.1 km) and Gaelscoil Átha Í (1.1 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 Athy; 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).