Gaelscoil Faithleann
Cill Airne, Kerry
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 245 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 129 girls, 116 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19941I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Faithleann is a vibrant Irish‑medium primary school that opened its doors in 1989 as a result of the work of Conradh na Gaeilge in Killarney. The school provides a fully immersive Gaelic‑speaking environment, embracing the motto “Beatha Teanga í a Labhairt” – language is a way of life. Pupils follow the national curriculum through Irish, developing strong linguistic skills while engaging in a broad range of subjects, including a newly introduced music education programme for children and young people in County Kerry. The campus boasts a wide array of facilities designed to support both academic and extracurricular activities. Recent developments include the addition of a new astroturf pitch, and the school already offers well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated music room, and a modern uniform provision. A free lunch service, “The Lunch Bag”, ensures that every child receives a nutritious meal each day. The school day begins at 8:50 am, with a welcoming atmosphere for all learners. Community involvement is a cornerstone of Gaelscoil Faithleann. Regular events such as the annual St Brigid’s Day celebration, Easter activities, and fundraising lotteries foster strong ties between families, staff and the wider community. The school also provides a range of helpful online resources, including book lists for the academic year and links to Irish language activities for learners of all ages.
History
Bunaíodh an scoil i 1989 mar thoradh ar obair Chonradh na Gaeilge, Cill Airne.
Applying to Gaelscoil Faithleann
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 Faithleann. 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 Faithleann
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Faithleann?
Gaelscoil Faithleann has 245 pupils enrolled, 129 girls and 116 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Faithleann a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Faithleann 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 Faithleann teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Faithleann teaches all subjects through Irish.