Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche
Cathair na Mart, Mayo
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 208 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 108 girls, 100 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20046M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil na Cruaiche is an all‑Irish, Catholic primary school situated on Golf Course Road, Westport, Co. Mayo. It provides full‑time immersion education from Junior Infants through Sixth Class, with a dedicated Naíonra for pre‑school children housed within the same modern building. The curriculum follows the national programme while placing a strong emphasis on the Irish language, ensuring pupils develop fluency in both Irish and English alongside the core subjects. A broad range of extracurricular activities enriches school life, including Irish dancing, music, art, gardening, French, sport and a vibrant club programme such as the Breakfast Club and After‑School Service. The school’s facilities include purpose‑built classrooms, specialist rooms for art, music and science, and outdoor spaces for sport and gardening. Digital resources are supported through an online payment system (Aladdin Pay) and a regularly updated calendar for the academic year. Communication with families is fostered via an active Instagram page, weekly newsletters and a well‑maintained website that offers easy access to policies, event information and community links.
History
Gaelscoil na Cruaiche opened as a Catholic primary school in September 1995 with seven pupils. It received temporary recognition from the Department of Education and Science in 1996 and came under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoile Lán Ghaeilge. The school was officially opened on 1 September 1996, with Mairéad Ní Ruáin appointed as principal. Permanent recognition was granted in 2000, and the school has since expanded to a staff of thirteen teachers, a special‑needs assistant and a pupil roll of approximately 198, plus 22 in the Naíonra. Planning permission for a permanent building was secured in 2007 and the new premises were occupied in June 2011.
Applying to Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche
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 Na Cruaiche. 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 Na Cruaiche
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche?
Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche has 208 pupils enrolled, 108 girls and 100 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche 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 Na Cruaiche teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche teaches all subjects through Irish.