Gaelscoil Phortlaoise
Portlaoise, Laois
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 369 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 187 girls, 182 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20081O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise is an Irish‑medium primary school situated in the Summerhill area of Portlaoise, offering a full‑time curriculum through the medium of Gaeilge. The school’s core aim is to promote the Irish language within the local community while providing a holistic education that welcomes children regardless of their prior language ability. Daily lessons are delivered in Irish, with a strong emphasis on speaking, singing and cultural activities that embed the language in the pupils’ everyday experience. The purpose‑built campus comprises sixteen mainstream classrooms, six specialist SET (Science, Engineering, Technology) rooms, a multipurpose hall, a library and an on‑site sports field. These facilities support a broad programme that includes visual arts, Irish dancing, Gaelic games and a rich repertoire of traditional Irish songs. The school fosters a close‑knit atmosphere, encouraging collaboration between pupils, staff and parents, and strives to create a small Gaeltacht‑like environment at the heart of the town.
History
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise was founded in 1998 and has grown steadily from its inception, developing into a vibrant Irish‑medium community described as a “small Gaeltacht situated in the centre of Portlaoise.” The school moved to its current purpose‑built premises on the Stradbally Road in Summerhill, featuring 16 classrooms, six SET rooms, a hall, library and sports field. Since its establishment, the school has consistently promoted the Irish language, Gaelic culture, and a supportive atmosphere that links children, staff and parents.
Applying to Gaelscoil Phortlaoise
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 Phortlaoise. 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 Phortlaoise
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Phortlaoise?
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise has 369 pupils enrolled, 187 girls and 182 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Phortlaoise a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 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 Phortlaoise teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Phortlaoise teaches all subjects through Irish.