St Josephs N.S.
Derrywash, Castlebar, Co. Mayo · F23 T659 · Roll number 13152U
St Josephs N.S. is one of 7 primary schools in or within 3 km of Castlebar. Every school in and around Castlebar →
What stands out about St Josephs N.S.
- 111 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.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Archbishop of Tuam; its ethos is Catholic.
- Outside Castlebar’s outline, 1.8 km away; listed with Castlebar, the nearest town in its county.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26St Josephs N.S. had 111 pupils in 2025/26, against 91 in 2015/16 (+22%). Girls are 46% of them. Its largest roll was 118, in 2020/21. Its roll rose in 6 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 Josephs N.S.
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 Josephs N.S. 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 Josephs N.S.
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 Josephs N.S.
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to St Josephs N.S. 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: St Josephs N.S. has grown by 10% since 2019/20. All the schools around Castlebar together changed by +9%.
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, 3 have more pupils than St Josephs N.S.. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +10%; 4 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Josephs N.S. | 111 | +10% | Catholic | English | ||
| SN Beal Atha na hEin | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 3.3 km | |
| St Paul's National School | 89 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 3.4 km |
| S.N. B Curnanool | 66 | +22% | Catholic | English | 3.7 km | |
| Castlebar Educate Together National School | 113 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 4.5 km | |
| Castlebar Primary School | 864 | – | Catholic | English | 4.7 km | |
| St Peters N.S. | 271 | −10% | Catholic | English | 4.8 km |
The other 144 primary schools in Co. Mayo
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaelscoil Raifteirí | 229 | −1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 5 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Brid C | 21 | −63% | Catholic | English | 5.5 km | |
| Breaffy N.S. | 377 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7 km |
| S.N. Coill an Bhaile | 41 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7 km |
| Ballintubber N.S. | 113 | +23% | Catholic | English | 7.3 km | |
| S.N. Beal Caradh | 109 | −16% | Catholic | English | 7.9 km | |
| S.N. Colm Naofa | 27 | −18% | Catholic | English | 8.1 km | |
| S.N. Cnoc Ruscaighe | 206 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 8.4 km |
| Clogher N.S. | 50 | +85% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 9.8 km |
| S.N. Fiondalbha | 37 | +28% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| S.N. Faitche | 137 | +40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 11 km |
| Crimlin N.S. | 15 | −35% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Holy Trinity National School | 41 | −33% | Church of Ireland | English | 12 km | |
| Scoil Phadraig | 338 | +0% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Burriscarra N.S. | 23 | – | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. an Coill Mhor | 17 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| Gaelscoil na Cuaiche | 208 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 13 km | |
| S N an Teaghlaigh | 45 | −32% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Mount Pleasant N.S. | 87 | +1% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Westport Educate Together National School | 48 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Lainn Cille | 66 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn | 202 | +7% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Ballyvary Central N.S. | 223 | +8% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Colm Cille | 206 | +10% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| St Mary's National School | 51 | +19% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Cloondaff N.S. | 11 | −52% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Newport Central | 243 | +13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| S.N. Mainistir Muigheo | 84 | −3% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Myna N.S. | 102 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 16 km |
| Brackloon N.S. | 145 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| Carraholly N.S. | 42 | −49% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| Craggagh N.S. | 19 | −49% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh | 94 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 18 km | |
| Rathbane N.S. | 57 | −2% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| S.N. Peadar agus Pol | 45 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. Gort an Eadain | 28 | +27% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| S.N. Ceathru an Chlochar | 35 | +6% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Robeen Central N.S. | 127 | +51% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Carrakennedy N.S. | 32 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| Scoil Naisiunta Thola | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Muirisc N.S. | 49 | +104% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Teach Caoin | 33 | −42% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Kiltimagh Central | 262 | +9% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Foxford Central N.S. | 271 | +10% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Leath Ardan | 76 | +17% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| St. Josephs N.S. | 451 | −1% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Chluain Luifin | 75 | +17% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Coill Mor | 6 | – | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Lecanvey N.S. | 31 | +0% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil na gCoillini | 97 | +11% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Claremorris National School | 314 | – | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Barnacarroll Central N.S. | 208 | +21% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Lehinch N.S. | 8 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Kinaffe N.S. | 48 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Scoil Chomain Naofa | 82 | −12% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Bunscoil Naomh Bríd agus Pádraíg | 46 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Scoil Néifinn | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Knock N.S. | 152 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| S.N. Uileog de Burca | 105 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 27 km | |
| Cloghans N.S. | 9 | −68% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| S.N. an Trian Lair | 66 | −7% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Swinford N.S. | 200 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| SN na hAille | 140 | +9% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Kilmurry NS | 65 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Meelickmore N.S. | 81 | +25% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Gort Sceiche | 75 | −6% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Ballindine B N.S. | 138 | +20% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| St Patricks Central N.S. | 117 | +4% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Feichin | 26 | −43% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| Killasser N.S. | 31 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 27 | −53% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Crossmolina N.S. | 235 | +5% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Garracloon N.S. | 25 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S N Realt na Mara | 77 | +51% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 133 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| St Joseph's NS | 217 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| S.N. Nmh Treasa | 57 | +78% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| S.N. Naomh Feichin | 47 | −33% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Culmore N.S. | 33 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| S.N. Sheamais | 18 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Gortjordan N.S. | 11 | −48% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Beacan Mixed N.S. | 177 | +18% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 231 | −5% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| St Marys N.S. | 93 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| Saint Michaels N.S. | 17 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 34 km | |
| SN Baile Cuisin | 13 | −35% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Irishtown N.S. | 70 | +15% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Ardagh National School | 73 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 34 km | |
| Scoil Íosa | 242 | +31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| Cloonlyon N.S. | 28 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol | 141 | +16% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| Knockanillo N.S. | 28 | −24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Beheymore N.S. | 228 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Glencorrib N.S. | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Drumgallagh N.S. | 33 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Naomh Sheosamh | 99 | −13% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Cullens N.S. | 273 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| Quignamanger N.S. | 364 | +13% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| S N Toin na Gaoithe | 61 | +7% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 37 km |
| Tavrane Central N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Teaghlaigh Naofa | 67 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Brighde | 103 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. Muine Chonallain | 133 | +56% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. Tamhnighan Fheadha | 15 | −32% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Scoil Iosa | 385 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Cormaic Nfa | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. Athracht Nfa | 268 | +41% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| SN Naomh Proinnsias | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Cooneal N.S. | 58 | −41% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Druim Slaod | 8 | −60% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| Achill Sound Convent N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| Newtownwhite Educate Together NS | 59 | +7% | Multi-denominational | English | 42 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig Saile | 65 | +38% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 42 km |
| Mount Palmer National School | 37 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Carracastle Central N.S. | 88 | +35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| Killala N.S. | 85 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| Scoil Chroí Ró Naofa Beannchor Iorrais | 61 | +61% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| Kilmovee N.S. | 51 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| Templemary N.S. | 47 | +21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| Valley N.S. | 17 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 47 km |
| S N Dhumha Thuama | 26 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 48 km |
| St Colmans N.S. | 34 | +31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Geesala Central School | 29 | −31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 49 km |
| Dookinella N.S. | 26 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| Lacken National School | 25 | −11% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 50 km |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 67 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 51 km |
| St Columbas N.S. | 3 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| S.N. Dumhach | 28 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| S.N. an Tsraith | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| Barnatra N.S. | 24 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| S.N. Gleann A Chaisil | 64 | +10% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 56 km |
| S.N. Pol A Tsomais | 27 | +13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 58 km |
| S.N. Inbhear | 67 | +20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| S.N. Ros Dumhach | 27 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 60 km |
| S.N. Eachleime | 64 | +45% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 60 km |
| S.N. Achaidh an Ghlaisin | 48 | +0% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 62 km |
| S.N. Croi Muire | 127 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 62 km |
| S.N. Beal an Mhuirthead | 58 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 62 km |
| Cill Mhor Iorrais | 20 | −57% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 63 km |
| SN Cholmcille, Ceathrú Thaidhg | 26 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 63 km |
| Corclough N.S. | 79 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 67 km |
Living in Castlebar
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the F23 Eircode area
Housing in Castlebar →The median sale price rose from €210,000 in 2023 to €280,000 in 2025 (+33%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the F23 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Castlebar
Cost of living in Castlebar →New tenancies in Castlebar averaged €1,247 a month in 2025, against €1,138 in 2024 (+10%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗near Castlebar, F23 T659
Primary schools near St Josephs N.S.
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about St Josephs N.S.
Is St Josephs N.S. 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 Josephs N.S. have?
111 pupils in 2025/26. That is +10% since 2019/20.
Does St Josephs N.S. teach through Irish?
No: St Josephs N.S. teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs St Josephs N.S.?
St Josephs N.S. has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Tuam.
How do pupils get a place at St Josephs N.S.?
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 Josephs N.S.?
The nearest are SN Beal Atha na hEin (3.3 km), St Paul's National School (3.4 km) and S.N. B Curnanool (3.7 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 Castlebar; 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).