Gaelscoil Ui Riordain
Baile an Chollaigh, Cork
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 724 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 355 girls, 369 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19839R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin is a vibrant Irish‑medium primary school situated in the heart of Baile an Chollaigh, County Cork. Established in 1983, the school operates as a “small Gaeltacht”, delivering early immersion education where Irish is the language of instruction from the first day of Junior Infants. Pupils develop fluency in Irish while also acquiring strong English literacy, with Irish reading taught in the early years and English reading introduced in Senior Infants. The curriculum places equal emphasis on academic excellence, cultural heritage and the arts, offering a rich programme of music, dance and sport that encourages confidence and creativity in every child. The school now occupies a modern, spacious building at Carraig an Earra, centrally located in the village. The facility houses 33 classrooms, specialist rooms for special‑needs assistants, and ample indoor and outdoor spaces for physical education and extracurricular activities. With a roll of approximately 735 pupils and a dedicated team of over 40 teachers and support staff, the school provides a supportive, community‑focused environment that celebrates Irish language, tradition and contemporary learning.
History
Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin was founded in September 1983 by Gabriel Ó Cathasaigh and 17 junior infant pupils in a small room above a local shop in Cúl Rua, Baile an Chollaigh. Named after the poet Seán Ó Ríordáin, the school grew steadily over four decades, reaching 735 pupils and a staff of 44 teachers and 12 special‑needs assistants by September 2024. A landmark move occurred on 6 November 2012 when the school community walked 3 km from the original rented premises to a new, purpose‑built campus at Carraig an Earra. The school marked its 40th anniversary in 2023 with community celebrations highlighting its role as a cultural and linguistic hub in the area.
Applying to Gaelscoil Ui Riordain
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 Ui Riordain. 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 Ui Riordain
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Ui Riordain?
Gaelscoil Ui Riordain has 724 pupils enrolled, 355 girls and 369 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Ui Riordain a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Ui Riordain 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 Ui Riordain teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Ui Riordain teaches all subjects through Irish.