Gaelscoil Phort Lairge
Port Láirge, Waterford
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 207 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 92 girls, 115 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19853L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Phort Lairge is an Irish‑medium primary school serving the Port Lairge community, offering education from Junior Infants through to Senior Classes (R6). The school delivers the national curriculum through the medium of Gaeilge, fostering bilingual proficiency and a strong cultural identity. Emphasis is placed on collaborative learning, participation in national festivals such as Feile na Scol, Slógadh, and the International Festival of Music, as well as active involvement in sport through Cumann na mBunscoil, with football and athletics programmes. The school benefits from a purpose‑built facility opened after extensive renovation in 2007, providing eight modern classrooms and dedicated spaces for music, art and physical education. In 2021 the school received a European Union grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan to address the digital divide, enabling the introduction of enhanced ICT resources and support for learners at risk of educational disadvantage. These initiatives underline the school’s commitment to inclusive, forward‑looking education within a supportive community environment.
History
Gaelscoil Phort Lairge was founded in 1984 to meet the demand for Irish‑language education, initially operating in Teach Viewmount with a small number of classrooms. In 1991 the school relocated to the vacant Scoil Mhuire building, which was purchased by the Department of Education and adapted for Gaelscoil use. Major refurbishment of the old building was completed in 2007, resulting in eight classrooms and improved facilities. The school has grown steadily, expanding its enrolment and programme offerings, and in 2021 secured a grant under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to implement digital inclusion projects.
Applying to Gaelscoil Phort Lairge
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 Phort Lairge. 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 Phort Lairge
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Phort Lairge?
Gaelscoil Phort Lairge has 207 pupils enrolled, 92 girls and 115 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Phort Lairge a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Phort Lairge 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 Phort Lairge teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Phort Lairge teaches all subjects through Irish.