Colaiste Pobail Osrai
Cill Chainnigh, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 214 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 98 girls, 116 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 70641K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Pobail Osraí is a co‑educational community school founded in 1991 under the patronage of the Board of Education and Training for Kilkenny and Carlow. The school delivers its curriculum through the medium of Irish, promoting the language and Gaelic culture daily. Its ethos is built around five core values – Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect – which shape a supportive learning environment for all pupils. The school prides itself on a student‑centred approach, treating each child as an individual and providing a robust transition programme together with personalised pastoral support. A dedicated team of highly skilled staff delivers a broad and balanced curriculum, complemented by a range of extracurricular activities such as language workshops, historical tours, bell‑ringing at St Canice’s Cathedral and the Club Osraí programme, fostering both academic achievement and personal development. Facilities are designed to encourage active participation and community engagement, with spaces for clubs, workshops and events that celebrate Irish heritage. The school’s commitment to high standards and inclusive practice aims to nurture confident, culturally aware learners prepared for further education and lifelong learning.
Applying to Colaiste Pobail Osrai
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 Colaiste Pobail Osrai. 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 Colaiste Pobail Osrai
How many pupils attend Colaiste Pobail Osrai?
Colaiste Pobail Osrai has 214 pupils enrolled, 98 girls and 116 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Colaiste Pobail Osrai a DEIS school?
No. Colaiste Pobail Osrai 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 Colaiste Pobail Osrai teach through Irish?
Yes. Colaiste Pobail Osrai teaches all subjects through Irish.