Coláiste Bhaile Chláir
Baile Chláir, Galway
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,269 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 550 girls, 719 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 76233C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir is a co-educational, multi-denominational community college in Baile Chláir (Claregalway), Co. Galway, under the patronage of GRETB. The school has over 1000 students and was first envisaged by local parents. It offers a three-year Junior Cycle programme with core subjects including English, Irish, Mathematics, Science, History and Geography, plus optional subjects such as Business Studies, Home Economics, Music, Technical Graphics, Wood Technology, Materials Technology, Computer Science and Drama. First-year students sample nine optional subjects through a taster programme before choosing two. Modern foreign languages available are French, Spanish, Italian and German. A school-developed wellbeing programme incorporates CSPE, SPHE, PE and the ETBI Ethos Framework. The school states that it was the first in Ireland to introduce wellbeing to the curriculum. A Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement is awarded on completion of the three-year programme. The school's stated values are Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect.
Applying to Coláiste Bhaile Chláir
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 Coláiste Bhaile Chláir. 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 Coláiste Bhaile Chláir
How many pupils attend Coláiste Bhaile Chláir?
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir has 1,269 pupils enrolled, 550 girls and 719 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Bhaile Chláir a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Bhaile Chláir 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.
Does Coláiste Bhaile Chláir teach through Irish?
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir 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.