Gaelscoil Peig Sayers
Fearann Phiarais, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 280 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 163 girls, 117 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19909M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Peig Sayers is a Irish‑medium primary school that delivers the national curriculum through the language and culture of Ireland. The school’s ethos is to provide the highest standard of education while celebrating and promoting Gaeilge, ensuring that every child benefits from a bilingual environment. A holistic approach underpins teaching, with equal emphasis on spiritual, moral, social, personal and physical development, and the school welcomes children of all faiths while maintaining its Catholic ethos. The school is housed in the historic Farranferris building on Redemption Road in Blackpool, a site that has been its home since April 2013. The location is adjacent to a new purpose‑built school complex that will further enhance learning facilities. Modern classrooms, dedicated spaces for sport, music and drama, and a well‑resourced library support a broad curriculum, while the school’s commitment to community involvement is reflected in its active parent‑led initiatives and a welcoming message from the principal.
History
Gaelscoil Peig Sayers was founded in 1986 when a group of local parents, supported by Br Jack Beausang, campaigned for a new Irish‑medium school. After the Department of Education declined to sanction the school, the parents raised funds door‑to‑door and opened the school unofficially in a room above the Na Piarsaigh GAA Club, paying the teacher from the collections. The school later moved to a part of the North Mon AG and, in March 1988, received official Department recognition. It spent ten years at North Point Business Park before relocating in April 2013 to the historic Farranferris building on Redemption Road, Blackpool, with plans for a new adjacent school building.
Applying to Gaelscoil Peig Sayers
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 Peig Sayers. 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 Peig Sayers
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Peig Sayers?
Gaelscoil Peig Sayers has 280 pupils enrolled, 163 girls and 117 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Peig Sayers a DEIS school?
Yes. Gaelscoil Peig Sayers is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
Does Gaelscoil Peig Sayers teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Peig Sayers teaches all subjects through Irish.