Lurga National School
Gort, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 91 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 41 girls, 50 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12574S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Lurga National School is a small rural primary school situated south of Gort in the parish of Beagh, County Galway. Catering for around 90 pupils, the school provides a close‑knit learning environment that balances traditional Irish values with a modern, inclusive curriculum. The school’s timetable begins with a welcoming assembly at 9:20 am and includes structured break and lunch periods, reflecting a well‑organised day that supports both academic progress and social development. The campus combines historic charm with contemporary facilities. A fine stone building, dating from 1884, has been integrated into a 2009 extension that houses a multipurpose hall, three mainstream classrooms, a dedicated resource and learning support room, and a spacious school yard and field. Recent adaptations, such as the conversion of part of the hall into a third classroom in 2012, demonstrate the school’s commitment to accommodating growing enrolments. Specialist support is available through a full‑time special‑education teacher and part‑time assistants, ensuring that pupils of all abilities receive tailored assistance. Beyond the classroom, Lurga National School maintains strong links with the local community, offering regular updates via a school calendar, news section, and a range of supplies and wellbeing resources. The school’s ethos encourages active participation, cultural awareness, and a love of learning that prepares children for the next stage of their education.
History
Lurga National School opened its doors on 12 February 1884 in a stone building erected on land donated by Robert Lattery. Initially staffed by Patrick Linnane as principal, the school served both boys and girls in separate national schools until their amalgamation in 1905. Over the decades, the school saw a succession of principals and expanded its facilities, including a new extension completed in 2009 that incorporated the original structure as a multipurpose hall. An adjacent car park was added in 2010, and a third classroom was created in 2012 to meet rising enrolments. The school celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2014 and today comprises three mainstream classrooms, a resource and learning support room, a hall, a yard and a field, supporting a community of roughly 90 pupils.
Applying to Lurga National 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
View Lurga National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Lurga National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Lurga National School
How many pupils attend Lurga National School?
Lurga National School has 91 pupils enrolled, 41 girls and 50 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Lurga National School a DEIS school?
No. Lurga National 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 Lurga National School?
Lurga National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.