Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn
Áth Buí,, Meath
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 140 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 77 girls, 63 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 71991T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn is a vibrant Irish‑medium secondary school serving the Gaeltacht community of Ráth Chairn. The college delivers the full junior and senior cycle curriculum through Irish, placing the language at the heart of learning while preparing pupils for the national Leaving Certificate and the Central Applications Office (CAO) process. Emphasis is placed on a holistic educational approach that combines academic rigour with cultural immersion, encouraging students to develop strong communication skills, critical thinking and a deep appreciation of Irish heritage. The school is equipped with modern digital resources, including an ePortal for online learning, the Studyclix platform for homework and assessment, and a Way2Pay payment system for seamless fee management. Dedicated spaces support student wellbeing, such as the “Guth na nDaltaí” (Student Voice) forum, a wellbeing programme, and a personal accident claims form. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, featuring a YouTube channel for sharing school events, a range of social media links, and a variety of clubs and activities that foster community spirit and personal development. Strong partnerships with parents are facilitated through a well‑structured Board of Management, a Parents’ Committee and regular communication via the school’s website. The college also provides comprehensive support services, including a “Tréadchúram” (early childhood) programme, a “Folláine” (wellbeing) policy and a range of safety and insurance policies, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all learners.
Applying to Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn
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 Pobail Rath Cairn. 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 Pobail Rath Cairn
How many pupils attend Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn?
Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn has 140 pupils enrolled, 77 girls and 63 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn 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 Pobail Rath Cairn teach through Irish?
Yes. Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.