Carrabane National School
Athenry, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 203 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 108 girls, 95 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17444H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Carrabane National School is a vibrant primary school that offers a balanced curriculum rooted in the Irish national framework, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement. The school provides a supportive environment where pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of subjects, from science and engineering to traditional crafts and cultural heritage. Recent programmes have included a marine biology workshop exploring the five sea‑turtle species found in Irish waters, as well as participation in the STEPS Young Engineers Award, where students develop innovative projects to benefit their local community. The school’s facilities support both indoor and outdoor learning, with dedicated spaces for hands‑on activities such as craft work for St Brigid’s Crosses and festive projects like ginger‑bread house building. Partnerships with local professionals, including marine biologists and engineers, enrich the curriculum and inspire pupils to consider future careers in STEM fields. A well‑maintained school calendar and a range of extracurricular clubs further enhance the holistic development of each child. Carrabane National School places a high priority on the wellbeing of its pupils, offering resources on health, SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) and wellbeing through its online parent portal. The school actively communicates with families via regular updates, enrolment information, and clear admission procedures, ensuring a transparent and inclusive community atmosphere.
Applying to Carrabane 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 Carrabane 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 Carrabane National School
How many pupils attend Carrabane National School?
Carrabane National School has 203 pupils enrolled, 108 girls and 95 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Carrabane National School a DEIS school?
No. Carrabane National 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.
What is the ethos of Carrabane National School?
Carrabane National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.