Drumbarragh N.S.
Drumbaragh, Kells, Co. Meath · A82 NP98 · Roll number 10801Q
Drumbarragh N.S. is one of 4 primary schools in or within 3 km of Kells. Every school in and around Kells →
What stands out about Drumbarragh N.S.
- 83 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (−13%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Meath; its ethos is Catholic.
- Outside Kells’s outline, 2.2 km away; listed with Kells, the nearest town in its county.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Drumbarragh N.S. had 83 pupils in 2025/26, down from 87 in 2015/16 (−5%). Girls are 42% of them. Its largest roll was 103, in 2021/22. 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 Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh N.S.
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Drumbarragh 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.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Drumbarragh N.S. has shrunk by 13% since 2019/20. All the schools around Kells together changed by −3%.
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, 4 have more pupils than Drumbarragh N.S.. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −13%; 4 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drumbarragh N.S. | 83 | −13% | Catholic | English | ||
| Carnaross N.S. | 178 | +0% | Catholic | English | 2.9 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 352 | −5% | Catholic | English | 4.7 km | |
| Our Lady of Mercy N.S. | 313 | −3% | Catholic | English | 4.7 km | |
| Kells Parochial N.S. | 52 | −30% | Church of Ireland | English | 4.8 km | |
| Kilskyre Mixed N.S. | 87 | −1% | Catholic | English | 5.1 km | |
| Ballinlough N.S. | 58 | −25% | Catholic | English | 5.8 km |
The other 106 primary schools in Co. Meath
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S.N. Bhrighde | 111 | +9% | Catholic | English | 7.3 km | |
| S.N. Muire | 165 | +16% | Catholic | English | 7.6 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 122 | −11% | Catholic | English | 8 km | |
| S.N. Caitriona Naofa | 149 | +7% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| S.N. an Rath Mhor | 45 | −46% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Kilbeg N.S. | 85 | −1% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| O'Growney National School | 382 | +7% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Ughtyneill N.S. | 31 | +7% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| S.N. Ultain Naofa | 80 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | 13 km | |
| Bohermeen N.S. | 237 | −5% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh | 169 | −18% | Catholic | All in Irish | 13 km | |
| Scoil Nais Naomh Aine | 12 | −52% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Gilson National School | 222 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| Scoil Naomh Barra | 238 | +14% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire N.S. | 94 | +19% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Castletown N.S. | 102 | −6% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Sheosamh | 136 | −7% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Kilmainham Wood N.S. | 118 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 16 km |
| Scoil Eoin Báiste | 123 | +21% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Cill Bhrighde | 200 | +45% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| St. Dympna's National School | 210 | −5% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Seosamh Naomtha | 100 | −15% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Eoin | 375 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| Navan Educate Together NS | 213 | −5% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 205 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| St Pauls N.S. | 761 | +4% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| St Oliver Plunkett N.S. | 399 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Mercy Convent N.S. | 385 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 15 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Aine Naofa N.S. | 312 | −2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Flowerfield N.S. | 40 | −11% | Church of Ireland | English | 19 km | |
| Gaelscoil Eanna | 138 | −32% | Catholic | All in Irish | 19 km | |
| S.N. Fiach | 102 | +34% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Carrickleck N.S. | 26 | −26% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Ard Rí Community National School | 384 | +48% | Multi-denominational | English | 20 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 194 | +5% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| St Patricks N.S. | 48 | −19% | Church of Ireland | English | 21 km | |
| Stackallen N.S. | 170 | −11% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| St Stephens N.S. | 805 | −13% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Columbain | 233 | −37% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 21 km |
| Scoil Bhríde | 392 | −2% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| St Marys Convent N.S. | 521 | −10% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Scoil Mhichil na Buachailli | 294 | −7% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 84 | +6% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Trim Educate Together National School | 174 | +72% | Multi-denominational | English | 22 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Boinne | 206 | −9% | Catholic | All in Irish | 22 km | |
| S.N. Bhrighde | 91 | +3% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Pheadair agus Phoil | 125 | −7% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Bride | 181 | −9% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Newtown N.S. | 60 | −28% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Nais Aitinn Bhui | 211 | −7% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Kilmessan Mxd N.S. | 242 | +3% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S N na Trionoide Naofa | 233 | −25% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 254 | −9% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Killyon N.S. | 60 | −34% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| S.N. Mhichil Naofa | 73 | −15% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa | 113 | +2% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Dangan Mixed N.S. | 228 | +12% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Baile Cheant | 214 | −15% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Seosamh | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Pio | 59 | −13% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Colmcille | 211 | +2% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| St. Nicholas Primary School | 299 | −24% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil Nais Finin Naofa | 63 | −2% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −10% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire Naofa | 81 | −19% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 139 | +6% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Coole N.s, | 164 | +8% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Cul an Mhuilinn | 119 | +16% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Dun Uabhair | 166 | −22% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Dunshaughlin Community National School | 168 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Bheinn Naofa B | 339 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Bheinin Naofa C | 343 | −0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| Scoil na Rithe | 222 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 35 km | |
| St. Mary's Primary School | 543 | −10% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Seachnaill Naofa | 622 | +13% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Cianain | 73 | −13% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Colmcille | 109 | +5% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| St. Joseph's National School | 89 | +3% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 137 | +6% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Aindreis Naofa | 107 | −5% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Rath Riagain | 92 | −10% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Treasa | 105 | +7% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Ratoath Junior N.S. | 213 | −44% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| S.N. Rath Beagain | 219 | +16% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Ratoath Senior N.S. | 319 | −36% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| St Pauls N.S. | 565 | −15% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil Oilibheir Naofa | 225 | +1% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Mí | 242 | −26% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 42 km | |
| Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa | 383 | −12% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 42 km | |
| Ashbourne Educate Together National School | 410 | −14% | Multi-denominational | English | 42 km | |
| Ashbourne Community National School | 342 | +280% | Multi-denominational | English | 42 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 479 | −3% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Scoil Nais Deaglain | 621 | −8% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S N Realt na Mara (C) | 373 | −19% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| S N Realt na Mara (B) | 373 | −18% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Cille | 227 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 44 km | |
| S.N. Cros Ban | 373 | −9% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 524 | −19% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Scoil Oilibheir Naofa | 397 | −5% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Dunboyne Junior N.S. | 397 | −18% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Dunboyne Senior N.S. | 470 | −17% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh | 438 | −8% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| St Peters National School | 97 | +29% | Church of Ireland | English | 46 km | |
| Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg | 360 | +7% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 46 km | |
| Kilbride National School | 310 | −7% | Catholic | English | 47 km |
Living in Kells
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the A82 Eircode area
Housing in Kells →The median sale price rose from €240,000 in 2023 to €310,000 in 2025 (+29%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the A82 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Kells
Cost of living in Kells →New tenancies in Kells averaged €1,290 a month in 2025, against €1,215 in 2024 (+6%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗near Kells, A82 NP98
Primary schools near Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh N.S.
Is Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh N.S. have?
83 pupils in 2025/26. That is −13% since 2019/20.
Does Drumbarragh N.S. teach through Irish?
No: Drumbarragh N.S. teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Drumbarragh N.S.?
Drumbarragh N.S. has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Meath.
How do pupils get a place at Drumbarragh 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 Drumbarragh N.S.?
The nearest are Carnaross N.S. (2.9 km), Scoil Cholmcille (4.7 km) and Our Lady of Mercy N.S. (4.7 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 Kells; 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).