Gaelscoil Osrai
An Pháirc Mhór Theas, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 438 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 231 girls, 207 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19856R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Osraí is a mixed‑gender primary school situated on Outrath Road in Kilkenny City. Operating under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, the school delivers its curriculum through the medium of Irish, placing the language at the heart of everyday learning. The ethos combines a strong academic programme with a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, including traditional music, song, and indigenous sports such as hurling, Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The school benefits from a purpose‑built two‑storey building opened in 1999, complemented by a modern library and additional classrooms added in 2015‑2016 and 2020. Temporary prefabricated units were introduced from 2005 to accommodate growth, bringing the total teaching staff to twenty‑four. Facilities support a holistic education that nurtures spiritual development, moral values and community spirit, reflecting the school’s Catholic foundation while fostering a lively, positive learning environment for its approximately 450 pupils.
History
Gaelscoil Osraí was founded in 1984 when a group of parents secured Department of Education permission to establish an Irish‑medium school in Kilkenny. The inaugural class of twenty‑two pupils began in a rented room from the local GAA club, with the Mayor of Kilkenny officially opening the school on 1 September 1984. After its first year a teaching assistant was appointed and the school obtained its own site on Outrath Road, initially using prefabricated structures and temporarily occupying St Patrick’s Boys School. In 1987 Míchéal Ó Máirtín became principal, and a new permanent building was completed in 1999, opened by the Minister for Education. Further expansion saw additional prefabs added from 2005, a two‑storey extension and library built between 2015‑2016, and another classroom completed in 2020. Leadership passed to Seán Ó hArgáin in 2008 and to Siobhán Ní Chorcora in 2022. Today the school employs twenty‑four teachers and educates almost four hundred and fifty pupils.
Applying to Gaelscoil Osrai
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 Osrai. 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 Osrai
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Osrai?
Gaelscoil Osrai has 438 pupils enrolled, 231 girls and 207 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Osrai a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Osrai 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 Osrai teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Osrai teaches all subjects through Irish.