Kilchreest Central School
Kilchreest, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 110 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 45 girls, 65 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19544V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilchreest National School is a small, mixed primary school located between Gort and Loughrea in South Galway. It caters for 86 pupils aged four to thirteen and provides a close‑knit learning environment supported by a team of teachers, including a special education teacher. The school’s uniform is navy, while the team colours are red and white, reflecting a strong tradition of sport – most children take part in hurling or camogie. The school’s ethos is rooted in the values of the local community and the Catholic tradition under the patronage of the Bishop of Galway. Educational provision follows a broad curriculum that balances academic subjects with personal, social and health education, and places a high priority on creating a safe, supportive atmosphere. Policies are developed collaboratively by staff, the board of management and parents, and are regularly reviewed to meet the evolving needs of the school community.
History
Kilchreest National School opened on 1 January 1981, replacing two former two‑teacher schools in Castledaly and Kilchreest. The school serves a parish that spans the barony of Dunkellin and Loughrea, an area rich in local history linked to the ancient diocese of Kilmacduagh and the surrounding Slieve Aughty hills.
Applying to Kilchreest Central School
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 Kilchreest Central School. 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 Kilchreest Central School
How many pupils attend Kilchreest Central School?
Kilchreest Central School has 110 pupils enrolled, 45 girls and 65 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilchreest Central School a DEIS school?
No. Kilchreest Central School 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.
What is the ethos of Kilchreest Central School?
Kilchreest Central School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.