Gaelscoil de hIde
Uarán Mór, Galway
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 399 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 192 girls, 207 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19998O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil de hÍde is a Catholic national primary school that delivers the full curriculum through the medium of Irish. From the early years (Naíonáin Bheaga) through to Class 6, the school follows an early‑immersion policy, with English introduced only after the Christmas break of the second year. This approach ensures that Irish is the language of instruction, administration and everyday interaction, fostering fluency and a strong cultural identity among pupils. The school provides a range of age‑appropriate facilities, including dedicated nursery rooms, specialist classrooms for science, art and music, and a well‑equipped playground that supports the varied extracurricular programme highlighted in the news section – from swimming and sports weeks to science fairs and cultural celebrations. A vibrant calendar of events, such as the Lego tournament, spiritual courses and St Patrick’s Day festivities, reflects the school’s commitment to holistic development, encouraging curiosity, community spirit and personal confidence. Gaelscoil de hÍde places a strong emphasis on moral and academic excellence, promoting respect, inclusion and the development of self‑esteem within a supportive community. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Irish language, Catholic values and a dedication to nurturing well‑rounded learners who contribute positively to the wider society.
Applying to Gaelscoil de hIde
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 de hIde. 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 de hIde
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil de hIde?
Gaelscoil de hIde has 399 pupils enrolled, 192 girls and 207 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil de hIde a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil de hIde 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 de hIde teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil de hIde teaches all subjects through Irish.