Gaelscoil Na Duglaise
Corcaigh, Cork
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 424 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 212 girls, 212 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19882S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil na Dúglaise is a co‑educational, Irish‑medium primary school in Douglas, Cork, offering a Catholic‑based curriculum that places the Irish language at the heart of learning. The school promotes bilingualism, enabling pupils to move confidently between Irish and English, and embraces a holistic approach to development – nurturing linguistic, cognitive, social, physical, aesthetic, spiritual and moral growth. A strong emphasis is placed on care and wellbeing, with a supportive environment that caters for children of all abilities, including a dedicated autism class and a team of nine special‑needs assistants who work alongside twenty‑seven teachers. The campus, situated off the South Link and South Douglas Road, comprises modern classrooms, specialist spaces for art, music and physical education, and recently expanded facilities added in 2022 to accommodate a growing enrolment of over 450 pupils. The school’s ethos, encapsulated in the motto “Doras Feasa Fiafraí” (the enquiring mind is the door to knowledge), encourages curiosity and independent thinking, while a collaborative spirit among pupils, parents, staff and the board of management creates a positive, thriving community.
History
Gaelscoil na Dúglaise was founded in September 1985 following a parent‑led campaign for Irish‑medium education in Douglas. Named in honour of An tAthair Tadhg Ó Murchú, a priest renowned for promoting the Irish language, the school initially operated in rented rooms at Coláiste Mhuire (now Reeveswood) and opened with 20 pupils under its first principal, Máire Uí Chonghaile. The first chairperson was Seamus Ó Riain, succeeded by Derek Ó’ Nuallain. In 1996 the purpose‑built school building was officially opened by Minister Michael Martin, and a further eight classrooms were added in 2004. By 2022 the school, now a twenty‑seven‑teacher institution with nine special‑needs assistants, secured approval for an additional extension, continuing its growth into the fourth decade of service.
Applying to Gaelscoil Na Duglaise
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 Duglaise. 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 Duglaise
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Na Duglaise?
Gaelscoil Na Duglaise has 424 pupils enrolled, 212 girls and 212 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Na Duglaise a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Na Duglaise 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 Duglaise teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Na Duglaise teaches all subjects through Irish.