Clifden Community School
Clifden, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 489 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 245 girls, 244 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91412M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Clifden Community School is a co‑educational secondary school situated in the coastal town of Clifden, County Galway. The school delivers a Christian‑based education that respects the beliefs of all pupils while fostering a caring, inclusive learning environment. Emphasising holistic development, the curriculum challenges students of every ability to reach their full potential, promoting personal responsibility, self‑esteem and a strong sense of community. Academic pathways include the Junior Certificate, Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), ensuring a broad range of academic and practical options. The school recently moved into a new, state‑of‑the‑art campus, marking the 50th anniversary of its founding. Modern classrooms, specialist laboratories and dedicated spaces for the arts and sport support a vibrant extracurricular programme. Students can take part in a variety of sports such as rugby, soccer, Gaelic football and athletics, as well as cultural activities including choir and school trips, all under the guiding motto Lux, Pax, Felicitas (Light, Peace, Happiness). This blend of academic rigour and diverse enrichment opportunities aims to prepare learners for adult life and active citizenship.
Applying to Clifden Community 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Clifden Community 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Clifden Community School
How many pupils attend Clifden Community School?
Clifden Community School has 489 pupils enrolled, 245 girls and 244 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Clifden Community School a DEIS school?
Yes. Clifden Community 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 Clifden Community School?
Clifden Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.