Breaffy National School
Castlebar, Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 377 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 188 girls, 189 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13781F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Breaffy National School is a co‑educational, Catholic‑patroned primary school situated beside Breaffy Wood, two miles east of Castlebar. The school embraces an inclusive ethos, combining traditional values with a progressive, child‑centred approach that encourages a love of learning, respect for all and the development of each pupil’s full potential. A broad curriculum is delivered across modern classrooms equipped with interactive Smart Boards, desktop stations and a fleet of mobile iPads, supporting literacy, numeracy and ICT skills in line with the school’s five‑year ICT plan. The campus offers extensive facilities for both academic and extracurricular pursuits, including a sports hall, flood‑lit astra‑turf pitch, music rooms, a library/Aistear room and specialised resource spaces. A strong emphasis is placed on physical education, music, drama and the arts, with programmes such as a school band, Grúpa Ceoil, regular concerts, and participation in national choirs and competitions. After‑school clubs range from Gaeilge and reading to swimming, golf and craft, while environmental education is reinforced through nature walks in Breaffy Woods and visits to local heritage sites.
History
The present school building opened in 1990, replacing a former 100‑year‑old structure that had served as the Breaffy Community Centre and now functions as the library and Aistear room. Subsequent extensions were completed in September 2005 and again in 2009, providing 16 modern classrooms, resource rooms, a sports hall and an outdoor astra‑turf facility.
Applying to Breaffy National 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 Breaffy National 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 Breaffy National School
How many pupils attend Breaffy National School?
Breaffy National School has 377 pupils enrolled, 188 girls and 189 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Breaffy National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Breaffy National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Breaffy National School?
Breaffy National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.