Coláiste Ghobnait
Oileáin Árann, Galway
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 35 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 19 girls, 16 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 71370K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Ghobnait is a post‑primary community college situated on Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands, County Galway. As part of the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (ETB), the school delivers a multi‑denominational curriculum that blends academic and applied programmes, enabling students to pursue the Leaving Certificate, vocational subjects and a range of further‑education pathways. The college benefits from modern teaching facilities, including specialised science labs, ICT suites and dedicated spaces for creative and practical subjects, all designed to support a diverse range of learning styles. The ethos of Coláiste Ghobnait centres on holistic development. A strong pastoral care framework, guidance services and a student support team are in place to nurture personal wellbeing and academic progress. The school also offers an extensive co‑curricular programme, encompassing sports, music, outdoor education and cultural activities that reflect the unique heritage of the Aran Islands. These opportunities aim to develop confidence, teamwork and a lifelong love of learning, preparing students for further study, employment or community involvement.
Applying to Coláiste Ghobnait
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 Ghobnait. 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 Ghobnait
How many pupils attend Coláiste Ghobnait?
Coláiste Ghobnait has 35 pupils enrolled, 19 girls and 16 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Ghobnait a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Ghobnait 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 Ghobnait teach through Irish?
Yes. Coláiste Ghobnait teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.