Castlegar National School
Castlegar, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 70 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 38 girls, 32 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17221K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castlegar National School is a co-educational Catholic primary school in Castlegar, County Galway, with an enrolment of 70 pupils. The school has DEIS status and is situated in a Gaeltacht area. The school describes itself as diverse, inclusive and welcoming, and states its aim to support pupils to have full lives as children and to prepare them to live full and useful lives as adults. Pupils are encouraged to develop self-discipline and mutual respect in an atmosphere that promotes learning and positivity. The school recognises the role of parents in education and states that a collaborative partnership between home and school enhances children's education, welfare and social awareness. Castlegar NS was awarded the Active School Flag in 2015. The school participates in the Green Schools programme, the Blue Star Programme, and has a school garden and a student council. A class set of Chromebooks was purchased in 2021 using a Digital Divide Grant under the NextGenerationEU fund. The school also has a special class and a Beoga Preschool on site. Fidelity Investments Ireland and Volunteer Ireland selected the school for an employee volunteering event in 2026, with 70 volunteers taking part in a day of action.
Applying to Castlegar 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 Castlegar 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 Castlegar National School
How many pupils attend Castlegar National School?
Castlegar National School has 70 pupils enrolled, 38 girls and 32 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castlegar National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Castlegar 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.
Does Castlegar National School teach through Irish?
Castlegar National School is located in a Gaeltacht area, where Irish is a community language. The Department of Education record for the school lists no subjects taught through Irish.