Our Lady of Mercy N.S.
Jim Brunnock Road, Kells, Co. Meath · A82 X571 · Roll number 12068D
Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy N.S.
- One of the larger primary schools: 313 pupils, against a typical 131.
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (−3%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Meath; its ethos is Catholic.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Our Lady of Mercy N.S. had 313 pupils in 2025/26, down from 447 in 2015/16 (−30%). Girls are 50% of them. 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 Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy N.S.
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Our Lady of Mercy 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: Our Lady of Mercy N.S. is about the size it was in 2019/20 (−3%). 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, 1 have more pupils than Our Lady of Mercy N.S.. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −3%; 3 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Mercy N.S. | 313 | −3% | Catholic | English | ||
| Scoil Cholmcille | 352 | −5% | Catholic | English | 0.1 km | |
| Kells Parochial N.S. | 52 | −30% | Church of Ireland | English | 0.1 km | |
| S.N. Muire | 165 | +16% | Catholic | English | 4.5 km | |
| S.N. Bhrighde | 111 | +9% | Catholic | English | 4.6 km | |
| Drumbarragh N.S. | 83 | −13% | Catholic | English | 4.7 km | |
| S.N. Caitriona Naofa | 149 | +7% | Catholic | English | 5.3 km |
The other 106 primary schools in Co. Meath
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnaross N.S. | 178 | +0% | Catholic | English | 6.3 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 122 | −11% | Catholic | English | 7.9 km | |
| S.N. Ultain Naofa | 80 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | 8.1 km | |
| Kilbeg N.S. | 85 | −1% | Catholic | English | 8.6 km | |
| S.N. an Rath Mhor | 45 | −46% | Catholic | English | 8.8 km | |
| Kilskyre Mixed N.S. | 87 | −1% | Catholic | English | 9 km | |
| Bohermeen N.S. | 237 | −5% | Catholic | English | 9.5 km | |
| Ballinlough N.S. | 58 | −25% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Barra | 238 | +14% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Ughtyneill N.S. | 31 | +7% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Castletown N.S. | 102 | −6% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| O'Growney National School | 382 | +7% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh | 169 | −18% | Catholic | All in Irish | 12 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Sheosamh | 136 | −7% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Eoin | 375 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| Scoil Eoin Báiste | 123 | +21% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 205 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| St Pauls N.S. | 761 | +4% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Kilmainham Wood N.S. | 118 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Navan Educate Together NS | 213 | −5% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Scoil Nais Naomh Aine | 12 | −52% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| St Oliver Plunkett N.S. | 399 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| S.N. Seosamh Naomtha | 100 | −15% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Mercy Convent N.S. | 385 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| Aine Naofa N.S. | 312 | −2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| Flowerfield N.S. | 40 | −11% | Church of Ireland | English | 15 km | |
| S.N. Cill Bhrighde | 200 | +45% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Gaelscoil Eanna | 138 | −32% | Catholic | All in Irish | 15 km | |
| Ard Rí Community National School | 384 | +48% | Multi-denominational | English | 16 km | |
| Stackallen N.S. | 170 | −11% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| St. Dympna's National School | 210 | −5% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| St Stephens N.S. | 805 | −13% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 194 | +5% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 84 | +6% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Bhríde | 392 | −2% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Carrickleck N.S. | 26 | −26% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| St Patricks N.S. | 48 | −19% | Church of Ireland | English | 19 km | |
| Gilson National School | 222 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 15 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| S.N. Pheadair agus Phoil | 125 | −7% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire N.S. | 94 | +19% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| St Marys Convent N.S. | 521 | −10% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Scoil Mhichil na Buachailli | 294 | −7% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Newtown N.S. | 60 | −28% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Boinne | 206 | −9% | Catholic | All in Irish | 20 km | |
| Trim Educate Together National School | 174 | +72% | Multi-denominational | English | 20 km | |
| S.N. Bhrighde | 91 | +3% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Scoil Nais Aitinn Bhui | 211 | −7% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 254 | −9% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S N na Trionoide Naofa | 233 | −25% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S.N. Columbain | 233 | −37% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| Kilmessan Mxd N.S. | 242 | +3% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Bride | 181 | −9% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Fiach | 102 | +34% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Baile Cheant | 214 | −15% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Pio | 59 | −13% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil Nais Mhuire Naofa | 113 | +2% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Seosamh | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Colmcille | 211 | +2% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Mhichil Naofa | 73 | −15% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Dangan Mixed N.S. | 228 | +12% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Killyon N.S. | 60 | −34% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire Naofa | 81 | −19% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Dun Uabhair | 166 | −22% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| St. Nicholas Primary School | 299 | −24% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 139 | +6% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Bheinn Naofa B | 339 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Bheinin Naofa C | 343 | −0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Dunshaughlin Community National School | 168 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. Cul an Mhuilinn | 119 | +16% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −10% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Coole N.s, | 164 | +8% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Scoil na Rithe | 222 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 32 km | |
| Scoil Nais Finin Naofa | 63 | −2% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Seachnaill Naofa | 622 | +13% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Cianain | 73 | −13% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Colmcille | 109 | +5% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 137 | +6% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| St. Mary's Primary School | 543 | −10% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Aindreis Naofa | 107 | −5% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Treasa | 105 | +7% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| St. Joseph's National School | 89 | +3% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Rath Riagain | 92 | −10% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Ratoath Junior N.S. | 213 | −44% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Ratoath Senior N.S. | 319 | −36% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Rath Beagain | 219 | +16% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| St Pauls N.S. | 565 | −15% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa | 383 | −12% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 38 km | |
| Scoil Oilibheir Naofa | 225 | +1% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Mí | 242 | −26% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 38 km | |
| Ashbourne Educate Together National School | 410 | −14% | Multi-denominational | English | 38 km | |
| Ashbourne Community National School | 342 | +280% | Multi-denominational | English | 39 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 479 | −3% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S N Realt na Mara (C) | 373 | −19% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S N Realt na Mara (B) | 373 | −18% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Scoil Nais Deaglain | 621 | −8% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Cros Ban | 373 | −9% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Cille | 227 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 40 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 524 | −19% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil Oilibheir Naofa | 397 | −5% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh | 438 | −8% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Dunboyne Junior N.S. | 397 | −18% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Dunboyne Senior N.S. | 470 | −17% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| St Peters National School | 97 | +29% | Church of Ireland | English | 43 km | |
| Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg | 360 | +7% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 43 km | |
| Kilbride National School | 310 | −7% | Catholic | English | 44 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 ↗Kells, A82 X571
Primary schools near Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy N.S.
Is Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy N.S. have?
313 pupils in 2025/26. That is −3% since 2019/20.
Does Our Lady of Mercy N.S. teach through Irish?
No: Our Lady of Mercy N.S. teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Our Lady of Mercy N.S.?
Our Lady of Mercy N.S. has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Meath.
How do pupils get a place at Our Lady of Mercy 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 Our Lady of Mercy N.S.?
The nearest are Scoil Cholmcille (0.1 km), Kells Parochial N.S. (0.1 km) and S.N. Muire (4.5 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).