Gaelscoil Na Laochra
Birr, Offaly
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 45 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20461B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil na Laochra is an Irish-medium primary school in Birr, Co. Uibh Fháilí, teaching all subjects through Irish. It is co-educational and multi-denominational, and takes pupils from Naíonáin Bheaga through to Rang a Sé. Enrolment is 45. The school has been recognised in regional and national competition for work in the arts, engineering, robotics, environmental awareness, athletics and Gaelic games. Creative schools, digital schools and Green Schools programmes are all part of its work, along with sport and other extra-curricular activities. Hot meals are provided. The school describes its approach as child-centred, with an emphasis on recognising the strengths of each pupil rather than defining them by their needs, and it states its aim as supporting intellectual, social, emotional and aesthetic development. It occupies a modern building on the Tullamore road with extensive facilities.
Applying to Gaelscoil Na Laochra
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 Laochra. 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 Laochra
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Na Laochra?
Gaelscoil Na Laochra has 45 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Na Laochra a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Na Laochra 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 Laochra teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Na Laochra teaches all subjects through Irish.