Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana
Headford, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 208 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 107 girls, 101 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12782C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilcoona National School is a co‑educational primary school serving approximately 193 pupils in the Galway area. The school places a strong emphasis on a warm, caring environment where children can develop academically, physically, socially and emotionally. Teaching is delivered by a dedicated team of mainstream teachers, special education staff and support assistants, and the curriculum is enriched by specialist provision such as resource, SENO, SNA and SPHE teachers, as well as a purpose‑built Rainbow Room for early years learning. Communication with families is prioritised through text alerts, Facebook updates, letters home and a regularly refreshed website, ensuring parents remain fully involved in their child’s progress. The school boasts a range of facilities that support both learning and extracurricular activity. Recent extensions (2008‑2015) have accommodated new ASD classes opened in 2013 and 2014, while a modern Astro‑turf pitch, completed in March 2017, provides a high‑quality outdoor space for football and hurling. A vibrant sporting tradition, award‑winning music and drama programmes, a book‑rental service and a Green Flag accreditation underline the school’s commitment to holistic education and environmental stewardship.
History
The current Kilcoona National School building was erected in 1989 and subsequently expanded in 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The school introduced its first autism spectrum disorder (ASD) class in September 2013, followed by a second in September 2014, attracting pupils from beyond the parish. Achievements include a seventh Green Flag award, success in local primary football competitions, and victories in the inaugural One‑Act Drama Primary School finals in 2015. In early 2017 the school commenced works on an Astro‑turf pitch, completed on 1 March 2017, funded through community fundraising efforts.
Applying to Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana
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 Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana. 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 Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana
How many pupils attend Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana?
Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana has 208 pupils enrolled, 107 girls and 101 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana a DEIS school?
No. Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana 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.
What is the ethos of Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana?
Bu National Schoolcoil Naomh Chuana has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.