Carlow
42 primary schools and 7,242 pupils in 2025/26.
- Pupils in 2025/26
- 7,242
- −212 on 2024/25
- Schools
- 42
- −1 on 2024/25
- Average school size
- 172.4
- −0.9 on 2024/25
- Average class size
- 21.79
- −0.71 on 2024/25
Trends in Carlow
Counts every school that reported in each year, including schools that have since closed. Dotted lines bridge 1983/84 to 1992/93. 1974/75 is left out because that year's source file is missing five counties.
Pupils
7,242
−212 on 2024/25
Schools
42
45 in 1975/76
Average pupils per school
172.4
153.7 in 1975/76
Average class size
21.79
−0.71 on 2024/25
Growing and falling since 2015/16
Each school's change in pupils over 10 years, from 2015/16 to 2025/26. A change of 10% or more either way counts as growing or falling.
41 schools with figures for both years
Schools still filling their classes in 2015/16, and schools opened since, are listed separately.
Average class size in these schools went from 26.2 in 2015/16 to 22.3 in 2025/26. 15 of the 17 schools that fell by 10% or more kept or added classes. A fall in pupils can mean smaller classes rather than fewer children wanting places. Smaller classes
Grown most
Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26
- 1 Carlow Educate Together NSCarlow, Co. Carlow 241 → 389 +61.4%
- 2 Fr Cullen Memorial N STinryland, Co. Carlow 165 → 231 +40.0%
- 3 St Columbas N STullow, Co. Carlow 74 → 93 +25.7%
- 4 Ballyconnell N STullow, Co. Carlow 163 → 199 +22.1%
- 5 Carrigduff Nat SchoolEnniscorthy, Co. Carlow 71 → 85 +19.7%
Fallen most
Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26
- 1 Bishop Foley Memorial School Boys SNR SCHStation Road, Co. Carlow 263 → 165 −37.3%
- 2 Scoil Nais Iosef NaofaSt. Joseph's Road, Co. Carlow 172 → 111 −35.5%
- 3 S N Phadraig NaofaTullow, Co. Carlow 228 → 150 −34.2%
- 4 Scoil Nais MhuireBagenalstown, Co. Carlow 89 → 59 −33.7%
- 5 S N Treasa NaomhaKiltegan, Co. Carlow 71 → 52 −26.8%
Ranked by percentage change. Only schools with 50 or more pupils in 2015/16 are ranked, leaving out any still filling their classes then, because a few pupils make a big percentage in a small or new school. An amalgamation, a new school nearby or smaller classes can also explain a big rise or fall.
Newer schools
1 school still filling its classes in 2015/16 or opened since, with 592 pupils. It isn’t in the figures above.
- Holy Family National SchoolCarlow · figures start 2025/26 592
Break Carlow down
Select a group to see its schools, pupils and class sizes.
Planning areas
| Carlow | 11 | 322.3 | 21.87 | 158 |
−4.8%
−6.1%
+23.4%
|
+23.4%
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tullow | 11 | 154.2 | 22.15 | 73 |
−7.8%
−4.8%
+32.1%
|
+32.1%
| |
| Bagenalstown | 10 | 121.8 | 21.81 | 52 |
−1.9%
−3.9%
+19.9%
|
+19.9%
| |
| Borris | 4 | 82.2 | 21.53 | 15 |
−8.9%
−17.1%
+11.9%
|
+11.9%
| |
| Hacketstown | 2 | 100.5 | 21.11 | 9 |
−6.5%
−6.1%
+32.2%
|
+32.2%
| |
| Bunclody | 2 | 86.0 | 21.50 | 8 |
−10.4%
0.0%
+23.7%
|
+23.7%
| |
| Graignamanagh | 2 | 40.5 | 16.20 | 5 |
−1.2%
+17.4%
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
Changes count today's schools and any that closed from 2023/24; earlier closures aren't in any planning area, so changes run high, more so since 2005/06. Known data issues · All planning areas in Ireland
Patrons
| Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin | 36 | 162.7 | 22.18 | 254 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Not reported) | 1 | 592.0 | 17.58 | 33 | |
| Educate Together | 1 | 389.0 | 23.56 | 16 | |
| Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory COI | 3 | 105.0 | 23.38 | 13 | |
| Bishop of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert COI | 1 | 90.0 | 19.50 | 4 |
Class sizes
Mainstream class groups only. The source does not identify which standard/year group each class group belongs to. Figures for 2025/26: 6,973 pupils in mainstream classes.
- Average class size
- 21.79
- Mainstream classes
- 320
- Largest class
- 32
- Classes of 30 or more
- 17
- Schools with a class of 30+
- 10
Teachers
Teachers in the 42 mainstream primary schools here, 2006/07 to 2025/26. Class teachers are counted every year; all teaching posts where they're known.
- Class teachers in 2025/26
- 320
- Up 82 since 2006/07, while pupils rose 18%
- Teaching posts in 2025/26
- about 526
- Estimate: 320 class teachers, 30 principals and deputies, 129 special education and 47 special class teachers
- Teachers in 2015/16
- 416
- The Department's last count of every teacher
Class teachers since 2006/07
One for each mainstream class, every school year
Special schools and special classes
2 special schools in Carlow, and the special classes in its 42 mainstream schools. Special schools aren't counted in the pupils, class sizes or teachers above.
- Pupils in special schools
- 176
- In 2 schools, up from 161 in 2015/16
- Allocated for 2026/27
- 50
- In 23 schools: 5 new classes
- Autism classes
- 42
- 89% of special classes
Special classes since 2020/21
In Carlow's mainstream schools, from the NCSE's yearly lists
- 2020/21 25
- 2021/22 26
- 2022/23 28
- 2023/24 34
- 2024/25 38
- 2025/26 47
- 2026/27 50
2026/27, dashed: allocated for next year.
| Special school | Pupils | Since 2015/16 | Teaching posts | SNAs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Laserians Special SCCarlow · Mild general learning disability | 146 |
−2.0%
|
22 | 50 |
| Saplings Carlow Special SchoolCarlow · Autism | 30 | – | 5 | 17.5 |
Sources: Department of Education enrolment lists; NCSE special class lists and special school allocations (CC BY 4.0).
What parents would prefer
1,888 of the 5,139 households with children at the 42 schools here answered the Department of Education and Youth's Primary School Survey, November–December 2025. These are preferences, not applications.
- Prefer a multi-denominational patron
- 37%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 44%
- Prefer teaching through Irish
- 19%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 20%
- Prefer single-sex
- 7%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 5%
By school planning area
The Department publishes the answers of parents of children not yet at school by planning area only, so these are whole areas, including any part in another county.
| Planning area | Schools here | Households answered | Multi-denominational | Through Irish | Single-sex | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At school | Not yet | At school | Not yet | At school | Not yet | |||
| CarlowAlso in Co. Laois | 11 | 1,412 (37%) | 36% | 45% | 23% | 27% | 7% | 6% |
| Tullow | 11 | 625 (44%) | 40% | 36% | 17% | 26% | 6% | 6% |
| BagenalstownAlso in Co. Kilkenny | 10 | 569 (48%) | 33% | 34% | 19% | 20% | 4% | 7% |
| BorrisAlso in Co. Kilkenny | 4 | 211 (46%) | 32% | 46% | 14% | 19% | 1% | 0% |
| BunclodyAlso in Co. Wexford | 2 | 415 (47%) | 42% | 42% | 12% | 17% | 0% | 1% |
| GraignamanaghAlso in Co. Kilkenny | 2 | 149 (45%) | 40% | 57% | 19% | 20% | 7% | 0% |
| HacketstownAlso in Co. Wicklow | 2 | 144 (43%) | 28% | 44% | 24% | 15% | 2% | 0% |
Grey: fewer than 60 parents of children not yet at school answered in that area, so a handful of answers moves the figure a long way.
- 5 schools where half or more of parents would prefer a multi-denominational patron
- 7 schools where a quarter or more would prefer teaching through Irish
- 6 of 7 single-sex schools where most parents would prefer co-educational
Each count opens those schools in Find schools, with each school's figures.
Source: Department of Education and Youth, Primary School Survey results, published 23 June 2026. Figures here add up the parents at each school with its own results.
Schools in Carlow
42 schools with 2025/26 figures, largest first.
Select a column heading to sort
| Roll number | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Family National SchoolCarlow | 20592Q | 592 | ––– | – | 33 | 17.58 | 22 | 0 |
| S N Naomh FhiachGraiguecullen | 19958C | 570 |
−1.0%
+7.8%
+54.1%
|
+54.1%
|
23 | 24.78 | 30 | 3 |
| Gaelscoil Eoghain Uí ThuairiscCeatharlach | 19811S | 444 |
−4.9%
−7.3%
−5.5%
|
−5.5%
|
19 | 22.74 | 31 | 3 |
| Carlow Educate Together NSCarlow | 20295K | 389 |
+0.8%
+61.4%
– |
– | 16 | 23.56 | 27 | 0 |
| Bennekerry National SchoolBennekerry | 17501Q | 377 |
−7.4%
−12.9%
+47.3%
|
+47.3%
|
16 | 23.56 | 28 | 0 |
| S N Muire gan SmalCarlow | 18363M | 345 |
−10.9%
−21.1%
−18.1%
|
−18.1%
|
16 | 21.56 | 29 | 0 |
| Queen of Universe N SMuinebeagh | 18183K | 253 |
−5.9%
−11.2%
+18.2%
|
+18.2%
|
11 | 21.91 | 31 | 1 |
| S N Peadar agus PolBallon | 14837L | 239 |
−9.1%
−14.9%
+46.6%
|
+46.6%
|
10 | 21.90 | 27 | 0 |
| Fr Cullen Memorial N STinryland | 16938E | 231 |
+16.1%
+40.0%
+60.4%
|
+60.4%
|
9 | 24.33 | 32 | 2 |
| St Patricks N SRathvilly | 17663T | 207 |
−1.4%
+1.0%
+24.7%
|
+24.7%
|
8 | 25.12 | 30 | 1 |
| Ballyconnell N STullow | 00977B | 199 |
+9.3%
+22.1%
+29.2%
|
+29.2%
|
8 | 23.38 | 27 | 0 |
| Borris MXD N SBorris | 00651R | 196 |
−6.7%
−7.1%
+16.7%
|
+16.7%
|
8 | 24.50 | 28 | 0 |
| S N Muire LourdesTullow | 13507I | 195 |
−24.1%
−11.8%
+6.0%
|
+6.0%
|
9 | 21.67 | 32 | 1 |
| Scoil Nais BhrideTullow | 04077I | 190 |
−14.8%
−2.1%
+233.3%
|
+233.3%
|
8 | 22.25 | 27 | 0 |
| Ballinabranna MXD N SMilford | 17756D | 184 |
−2.6%
+5.1%
+58.6%
|
+58.6%
|
7 | 25.43 | 30 | 2 |
| St Laserians MXD NSLeighlinbridge | 19784S | 182 |
+6.4%
+2.8%
+0.6%
|
+0.6%
|
7 | 24.29 | 30 | 2 |
| Rathoe NSRathoe | 01415K | 175 |
−1.7%
−5.9%
+76.8%
|
+76.8%
|
7 | 22.43 | 31 | 1 |
| Bishop Foley Memorial School Boys SNR SCHStation Road | 17053P | 165 |
−32.4%
−37.3%
−30.4%
|
−30.4%
|
8 | 19.88 | 27 | 0 |
| S N Phadraig NaofaTullow | 16080N | 150 |
−35.3%
−34.2%
−26.1%
|
−26.1%
|
8 | 18.75 | 26 | 0 |
| St Josephs NSHacketstown | 17127S | 149 |
+5.7%
+4.2%
+20.2%
|
+20.2%
|
6 | 23.00 | 29 | 0 |
| S N Cluain na nGallClonegal | 17514C | 146 |
+10.6%
+5.8%
+25.9%
|
+25.9%
|
6 | 22.50 | 28 | 0 |
| Newtown Dunleckney MXDMuinebheag | 01215C | 144 |
−2.7%
+5.1%
+69.4%
|
+69.4%
|
6 | 22.00 | 29 | 0 |
| S N CeatharlachCarlow | 18615N | 137 |
+6.2%
+3.8%
+14.2%
|
+14.2%
|
5 | 25.20 | 28 | 0 |
| St Bridgets Monastery Boys Senior SchoolMuinebheag | 13105L | 134 |
−2.2%
+1.5%
+27.6%
|
+27.6%
|
5 | 24.40 | 30 | 1 |
| Baile an Chuilinn N SMuinebeag | 01116A | 126 |
+3.3%
+15.6%
+34.0%
|
+34.0%
|
5 | 25.20 | 28 | 0 |
| Scoil Nais MolaiseOld Leighlin | 02124E | 123 |
+16.0%
−10.9%
+9.8%
|
+9.8%
|
5 | 22.20 | 27 | 0 |
| Scoil Nais Iosef NaofaSt. Joseph's Road | 18424G | 111 |
−0.9%
−35.5%
−34.7%
|
−34.7%
|
6 | 15.50 | 18 | 0 |
| S N Fhoirtcheirn/FhininBagenalstown | 17994T | 106 |
−8.6%
−6.2%
+29.3%
|
+29.3%
|
5 | 18.80 | 29 | 0 |
| St Columbas N STullow | 13607M | 93 |
+31.0%
+25.7%
+111.4%
|
+111.4%
|
4 | 23.25 | 27 | 0 |
| St Marys N SMuine Bheag | 11135K | 90 |
−13.5%
−5.3%
+3.4%
|
+3.4%
|
4 | 19.50 | 26 | 0 |
| S N Cill DamhainVia Enniscorthy | 18090D | 87 |
−13.0%
−13.9%
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
4 | 21.75 | 25 | 0 |
| Carrigduff Nat SchoolEnniscorthy | 15177A | 85 |
−7.6%
+19.7%
+63.5%
|
+63.5%
|
4 | 21.25 | 28 | 0 |
| Scoil Muire gan SmalArdattin | 18024N | 61 |
−6.2%
−14.1%
+17.3%
|
+17.3%
|
3 | 20.33 | 24 | 0 |
| Scoil Nais MhuireBagenalstown | 09320Q | 59 |
−15.7%
−33.7%
+1.7%
|
+1.7%
|
3 | 17.67 | 21 | 0 |
| S N Treasa NaomhaKiltegan | 17669I | 52 |
−29.7%
−26.8%
+85.7%
|
+85.7%
|
3 | 17.33 | 20 | 0 |
| Scoil N Moling-GlynnSaint Mulllins | 17330P | 51 |
−10.5%
−7.3%
−10.5%
|
−10.5%
|
3 | 17.00 | 20 | 0 |
| Scoil Nais MhichilBorris | 17462J | 42 |
−10.6%
−16.0%
+50.0%
|
+50.0%
|
2 | 21.00 | 23 | 0 |
| S N Fiontain NaofaTullow | 18609S | 41 |
+51.9%
+105.0%
−10.9%
|
−10.9%
|
2 | 20.50 | 23 | 0 |
| S N NMH FhinginMuinebheag | 17096K | 34 |
+3.0%
−12.8%
+54.5%
|
+54.5%
|
2 | 17.00 | 17 | 0 |
| St Patrick's National SchoolBorris | 18510W | 32 |
−5.9%
−31.9%
−20.0%
|
−20.0%
|
2 | 16.00 | 19 | 0 |
| St Brendans N Svia Kilkenny | 17481N | 30 |
+20.0%
+114.3%
+25.0%
|
+25.0%
|
2 | 15.00 | 15 | 0 |
| Our Lady's National SchoolCarlow | 17796P | 26 |
−27.8%
−39.5%
−23.5%
|
−23.5%
|
2 | 13.00 | 18 | 0 |
No schools match that filter.