Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada
AN TULACH MHOR, Offaly
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 185 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 99 girls, 86 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19990V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil an Eiscir Riada is an Irish‑medium primary school situated in Cluain Calga, Tullamore, County Offaly. It provides full immersion education for boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, fostering fluency in Gaeilge alongside the Irish curriculum. The school’s ethos centres on nurturing a love of learning, cultural heritage and community participation, encouraging pupils to develop confidence, creativity and critical thinking within a supportive, bilingual environment. The school occupies a purpose‑built campus opened in 2003, offering modern classrooms, specialist rooms and extensive garden spaces that support both academic and extracurricular activities. Facilities include a library, and outdoor play areas that enable a balanced programme of sport, arts and environmental education. Strong links with parents and local organisations underpin a vibrant school life, with regular events, projects and collaborations that celebrate Irish language and culture.
History
The idea to establish a Gaelscoil in the Tulach Mhór area arose at a Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann meeting in 1993. Following community fundraising and support from the Department of Education, the school opened on 1 September 1993 in a temporary premises on 5 Sráid Cormaic with twenty pupils and a single principal. After receiving permanent status in March 1995, the school moved to larger premises on 13 Sráid na hEaglaise later that year, and expanded further in 1997 by leasing additional space on the same street. A dedicated parents’ committee was formed in March 1996. On 29 April 2003 the school transferred to a new, purpose‑built building in Cluain Calga, officially opened on 23 June 2003. Since then the school has continued to grow and strengthen its role in the community.
Applying to Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada
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 Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada. 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 Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada?
Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada has 185 pupils enrolled, 99 girls and 86 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada 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 Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil An Eiscir Riada teaches all subjects through Irish.