Ábalta Special School
Parkmore, Galway
Key facts
- Special school
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 30 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 9 girls, 21 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- Some subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20371A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Ábalta Special School is a dedicated centre for children and young people with autism and complex needs, catering for ages 4‑18. Operating under the patronage of Autism Ireland, the school provides a highly specialised environment where each learner receives intensive, individualised support. The educational ethos is grounded in evidence‑based methodologies, particularly Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and the science of learning and behaviour, delivered through a 1: 1 staff‑to‑student ratio. This approach ensures that teaching is tailored to each pupil’s developmental profile, promoting communication, social interaction, and functional independence. The school’s facilities have been continually enhanced to support modern learning. Recent EU‑funded initiatives have equipped classrooms with interactive whiteboards and augmentative communication devices, enabling students to engage with digital lessons and express themselves more fully. The current campus at Parkmore East Business Park, Galway, offers purpose‑built classrooms and therapeutic spaces, and a new building in Oranmore is forthcoming, promising expanded resources for further skill development and transition to adult life. Strong collaboration with families is a cornerstone of the school’s culture. Parents are actively involved in the board of management and the Parent’s Association, contributing to fundraising and the enrichment of the school community. This partnership, together with a committed professional staff, creates a nurturing, close‑knit environment that supports each child’s journey towards greater independence and wellbeing.
History
Ábalta Special School was founded in 2001 after six Galway families lobbied the Department of Education for a dedicated provision for children with autism. It began with six pupils in a house at Winfield Gardens, Knocknacarra, then expanded to twelve students at Cuan Glas, Salthill, and later to eighteen students with a second site at Tigh Ronan, Newcastle. In May 2011 the school was officially recognised as a special school and placed under the Department of Education with Autism Ireland as its patron. The school moved to its current unified premises in Parkmore in 2012, allowing all students to be under one roof. By 2024 the roll had increased to twenty‑four students with the addition of a fourth class, reflecting ongoing growth and commitment to serving the autism community.
Applying to Ábalta Special School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Ábalta Special School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Ábalta Special School
How many pupils attend Ábalta Special School?
Ábalta Special School has 30 pupils enrolled, 9 girls and 21 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ábalta Special School a DEIS school?
No. Ábalta Special School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
Does Ábalta Special School teach through Irish?
Partly. Ábalta Special School teaches some subjects through Irish.