Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain
Ráth Naoi, Wicklow
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 285 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 158 girls, 127 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20045K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin is a full‑Irish language primary school (bunscoil) situated in Cill Mhantáin and serving the wider hinterland. Operating under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta, the school delivers the curriculum entirely through Irish, using the language as the medium for all subjects. It is an inter‑denominational institution, offering a shared Catholic and Protestant ethos that provides equal recognition to both traditions while fostering an inclusive community spirit. The school has grown from an initial cohort of twenty‑four pupils and two teachers in 1996 to a vibrant community of more than 280 pupils. A dedicated team of fifteen full‑time teachers, three learning support staff, a principal manager, full‑time secretaries, seven special‑needs assistants, a school nurse and two caretakers work together to create a supportive, nurturing environment. Emphasis is placed on personal development, academic excellence and the encouragement of curiosity, preparing children to engage confidently with the wider world while maintaining a strong cultural and linguistic identity.
History
Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin was founded in 1996 with the aim of providing Irish‑medium education in Cill Mhantáin and the surrounding area. It was the first inter‑denominational Gaelscoil in the country, offering a combined Catholic and Protestant ethos. Since its modest beginnings of twenty‑four pupils and two teachers, the school has expanded significantly, now serving over two hundred and eighty pupils with a comprehensive staff and specialist support services.
Applying to Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain
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 Chill Mhantain. 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 Chill Mhantain
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain?
Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain has 285 pupils enrolled, 158 girls and 127 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain 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 Chill Mhantain teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain teaches all subjects through Irish.