Gaelscoil Riabhach
Cois Móna, Galway
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 170 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 92 girls, 78 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20123E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Riabhach is a multidenominational primary school situated in Baile Locha Riach, Loughrea, County Galway, where Irish is the medium of instruction. The school provides a vibrant, inclusive environment that blends sport and learning, encouraging children to be active and engaged. Its curriculum is delivered through Irish, fostering fluency and cultural appreciation while promoting respect for diversity within the school community and the wider world. Since moving into a purpose‑built campus in 2017, the school offers modern classrooms and safe outdoor play areas that support a motivating, kind, happy and secure atmosphere. Parents are invited to take a central, democratic role in school life, contributing to daily participation and governance. The staff are committed to professional standards and to maintaining a healthy, safe workplace, ensuring that every child can discover their abilities and develop confidently as a learner and a person.
History
Gaelscoil Riabhach was founded by a group of local parents in 2000 to provide Irish‑medium primary education in the Loughrea area. The school relocated to its new, purpose‑built building in 2017, continuing its mission as a multidenominational gaelscoil.
Applying to Gaelscoil Riabhach
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 Riabhach. 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 Riabhach
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Riabhach?
Gaelscoil Riabhach has 170 pupils enrolled, 92 girls and 78 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Riabhach a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Riabhach 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 Riabhach teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Riabhach teaches all subjects through Irish.