Cloondaff National School
Glenhest, Mayo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 11 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 6 girls, 5 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11834N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Cloondaff National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school located in the village of Glenhest, Newport, Co. Mayo. It provides a nurturing, caring and secure environment where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each pupil are identified and addressed. Although the school embraces a Catholic ethos, it recognises and respects all other religions, fostering an inclusive community for families in the local area. The school operates with a two‑teacher model complemented by a shared Learning Support/Resource Teacher, giving a low pupil‑teacher ratio that allows for personalised attention and support. Teaching is delivered through a multi‑sensory approach that incorporates ICT and encourages independence through a multi‑class arrangement, peer‑mentoring and strong communication links with parents. Facilities support a broad range of extra‑curricular activities, including the Science Explorers programme with the Marine Institute, music lessons on tin whistle, flute, accordion, keyboard and banjo, chess, Green Schools biodiversity projects, GAA coaching, swimming and regular participation in national sports competitions. The school’s timetable runs from 9.20 am to 2.00 pm for infants and to 3.00 pm for 1st‑6th classes, providing a structured yet flexible learning day.
Applying to Cloondaff 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 Cloondaff 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 Cloondaff National School
How many pupils attend Cloondaff National School?
Cloondaff National School has 11 pupils enrolled, 6 girls and 5 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cloondaff National School a DEIS school?
No. Cloondaff 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 Cloondaff National School?
Cloondaff National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.