Scoil Diarmada
Athy Road, Castledermot, Co. Kildare · R14 FX46 · Roll number 19786W
Scoil Diarmada is the only one of the primary schools in or within 3 km of Castledermot. Every school in and around Castledermot →
What stands out about Scoil Diarmada
- One of the larger primary schools: 344 pupils, against a typical 131.
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (−6%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Archbishop of Dublin; its ethos is Catholic.
- The only primary school in Castledermot or within 3 km of it.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Scoil Diarmada had 344 pupils in 2025/26, down from 358 in 2015/16 (−4%). Girls are 45% of them. Its largest roll was 365, in 2019/20. Its roll rose in 5 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 Diarmada
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 Diarmada 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 Diarmada
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 Diarmada
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Scoil Diarmada 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.
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 Diarmada has shrunk by 6% since 2019/20. All the schools around Castledermot together changed by −12%.
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.
Scoil Diarmada has more pupils than any of the 6 nearest primary schools. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −6%; 3 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoil Diarmada | 344 | −6% | Catholic | English | ||
| S.N. Naomh Lorcain | 34 | −36% | Catholic | English | 4.8 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cae | 49 | −8% | Catholic | English | 5.1 km | |
| S N na Cloiche Moire | 20 | −5% | Catholic | English | 6.2 km | |
| S.N. Colmcill Naofa | 129 | +0% | Catholic | English | 6.8 km | |
| Ballyroe Central N.S. | 18 | −31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 8.1 km |
| Scoil Abbain Cillin | 99 | +5% | Catholic | English | 8.6 km |
The other 95 primary schools in Co. Kildare
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Laurences N.S. | 259 | −11% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Scoil Mhichil Naofa | 496 | −20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| Scoil Phadraig Naofa | 592 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Athy Model School | 90 | −7% | Church of Ireland | English | 14 km | |
| Gaelscoil Átha Í | 151 | −23% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | ✓ | 14 km |
| S.N. Ide | 139 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Churchtown N.S. | 55 | −38% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Ballyshannon N.S. | 115 | −10% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Kilberry N.S. | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| S.N. Naomh Ioseph | 51 | −12% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Scoil Bhríde | 183 | −15% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Bride | 55 | −15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| St Brigids N.S. | 167 | −5% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Cill Daingin | 207 | −8% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| St Brigids N.S. | 598 | −13% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Brannoxtown Community N.S. | 83 | +295% | Multi-denominational | English | 25 km | |
| St. Catherine of Sienna | 151 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 26 km |
| Scoil Bride | 304 | −4% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| St Brigid's Kildare Town Primary School | 1,025 | +2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Newbridge Educate Together NS | 406 | +2% | Multi-denominational | English | 27 km | |
| Gaelscoil Chill Dara | 288 | −24% | Catholic | All in Irish | 27 km | |
| Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha | 215 | +45% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 28 km | |
| Kildare Town Educate Together NS | 417 | +0% | Multi-denominational | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 216 | +13% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Ballymany Junior N.S. | 333 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 389 | −8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Monasterevan Convent | 377 | +5% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| St. John's National School | 45 | +2% | Church of Ireland | English | 29 km | |
| St Patricks N.S. | 187 | −7% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Pheadar | 239 | −0% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil Chonnla Phadraig | 306 | −11% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Ursaille Naofa | 236 | −7% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Bride | 101 | −31% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| St Conleths and Marys N.S. | 345 | −8% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Connlaodh Naofa N | 285 | −25% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil na Naomh Uilig | 589 | −6% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 229 | +8% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Killashee Multi-Denominational N.S. | 224 | −7% | Multi-denominational | English | 33 km | |
| St Davids N.S. | 98 | +5% | Church of Ireland | English | 33 km | |
| Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh | 385 | −8% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 34 km | |
| Naas Community National School | 364 | +44% | Multi-denominational | English | 35 km | |
| An Linbh Iosa | 401 | −13% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Scoil Chorbain | 460 | −11% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Scoil Bhride N.S. | 286 | −3% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Rathangan B N.S. | 308 | +7% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Mercy Convent Primary School | 607 | +9% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Almhaine N.S. | 184 | −18% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Caragh N.S. | 455 | −8% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| S.N. Rath Mor | 308 | +9% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Scoil Bríd | 612 | −8% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| St Laurences National School | 646 | −6% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Baile Roibeaird | 173 | −16% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Allenwood National School | 263 | +2% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 744 | +12% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Hewetsons N.S. | 89 | +2% | Church of Ireland | English | 42 km | |
| Prosperous N.S. | 493 | −7% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| S.N. Coill Dubh | 182 | +8% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| St Patricks BNS | 488 | −7% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Bhride | 480 | −8% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Oilibhear Plunglead | 88 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| S.N. Brighde | 60 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| S.N. Cianog Naofa | 90 | −10% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| St Annes National School | 329 | −1% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Mhuire | 105 | +12% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Straffan N.S. | 401 | +7% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Rathcoffey N.S. | 215 | −4% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| St Conleths N.S. | 278 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 48 km |
| North Kildare Educate Together NS | 432 | +14% | Multi-denominational | English | 50 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Padraig | 374 | −10% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Scoil na Mainistreach | 455 | +8% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Primrose Hill N.S. | 109 | −4% | Church of Ireland | English | 51 km | |
| S.N. Tir Mochain | 100 | −17% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 235 | −43% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Aghards N.S. | 660 | −5% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S.N. Scoil Treasa | 100 | −12% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil Ui Fhiaich | 459 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 54 km | |
| Maynooth Educate Together National School | 415 | +46% | Multi-denominational | English | 54 km | |
| Newtown N.S. | 110 | +20% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| S.N. Baile Mhic Adaim | 85 | +18% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| St Patricks N.S. | 87 | −30% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| Maynooth B N.S. | 595 | +4% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Presentation Girls Primary School | 621 | +0% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Leixlip Educate Together National School | 207 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 55 km | |
| S.N. Cloch Rinnce | 137 | −11% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| St Josephs N.S. | 423 | +5% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Scoil Eoin Phoil | 264 | −19% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Scoil Uí Riada | 484 | −7% | Catholic | All in Irish | 55 km | |
| Scoil Bhride | 295 | −5% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 289 | −6% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Scoil C.ui Dhalaigh | 376 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | 55 km | |
| Scoil Chóca Naofa | 467 | +18% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| Gaelscoil Ruairí | 173 | – | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 56 km | |
| San Carlo Senior N.S. | 301 | +13% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| San Carlo Junior N.S. | 265 | −0% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| S N na Maighdine Mhuire | 60 | −10% | Catholic | English | 57 km |
Living in Castledermot
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the R14 Eircode area
Housing in Castledermot →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 Co. Kildare
Cost of living in Castledermot →New tenancies in Co. Kildare averaged €1,701 a month in 2025, against €1,154 in 2024 (+0%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Castledermot, R14 FX46
Primary schools near Scoil Diarmada
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Scoil Diarmada
Is Scoil Diarmada 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 Diarmada have?
344 pupils in 2025/26. That is −6% since 2019/20.
Does Scoil Diarmada teach through Irish?
No: Scoil Diarmada teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Scoil Diarmada?
Scoil Diarmada has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Dublin.
How do pupils get a place at Scoil Diarmada?
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 Diarmada?
The nearest are S.N. Naomh Lorcain (4.8 km), S.N. Cill Cae (5.1 km) and S N na Cloiche Moire (6.2 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 Castledermot; 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).