Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh
Cnoc na Cathrach, Galway
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 643 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 340 girls, 303 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19994G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is a fully Irish‑medium primary school serving the community of Cnoc na Cathrach and the surrounding hinterland. Its core mission is to provide high‑quality, bilingual education that nurtures the whole child – morally, spiritually, physically, academically, aesthetically and culturally – through the guiding principle “Forbairt an Dúchais trí Fhorbairt Iomlán an Pháiste”. The curriculum is delivered in Irish across all subjects, with a strong emphasis on language immersion, cultural heritage and active participation in music, drama, art, sport and science. The school’s facilities have expanded significantly since its inception. The current campus, opened in January 2018, houses 24 modern classrooms, a library, specialist support rooms, a dedicated early‑years centre, and a multipurpose hall. A comprehensive before‑ and after‑school service operates from the Áras Mhic Amhlaigh building, offering supervised homework time, creative arts, sport, cooking and other enrichment activities, all conducted through the medium of Irish. Close collaboration with parents, a vibrant Parents’ Association and an open, welcoming atmosphere underpin the school’s community‑focused ethos.
History
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh was founded in 1993 as a Gaeltacht, fully Irish‑medium primary school. Between 1993 and 1999 the school operated from temporary premises in the Cnoc na Cathrach area. In 1999 it moved into its first purpose‑built facility, which comprised eight classrooms, a hall, offices and specialist rooms. Owing to continued growth and increasing demand for Irish‑language education, the Department of Education approved a new school building, which opened in January 2018 in Lána an Mhuilleora, Cnoc na Cathrach. The new campus provides 24 classrooms, a library, support rooms, a senior infants room and a range of additional amenities, alongside a dedicated early‑years and after‑school service.
Applying to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh
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 Mhic Amhlaigh. 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 Mhic Amhlaigh
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh?
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh has 643 pupils enrolled, 340 girls and 303 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh 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 Mhic Amhlaigh teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.