Raheen Wood Community National School
Tuamgraney, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 102 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 51 girls, 51 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20312H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Raheen Wood Community National School is a co‑educational, multi‑denominational Community National School situated on a four‑acre woodland site just outside the east Clare village of Tuamgraney. Established in 2008, the school embraces a whole‑child philosophy, seeking to nurture body, mind and spirit through a learning environment that blends the national curriculum with the creative, artistic and experiential traditions of Steiner education. Children from Junior Infants to Class 6 benefit from spacious indoor classrooms, a dedicated kindergarten area, a main school building and a special class, all set within a natural, forested setting that encourages outdoor learning, movement and hands‑on craft. The school’s educational approach places a strong emphasis on creativity, continuity and activity. Lessons are often delivered in extended “main lesson” blocks that allow deep exploration of topics, while artistic media such as drawing, music, drama and eurythmy are woven throughout the curriculum. Structured movement, outdoor play and manual skills are integral, supporting the development of social, emotional and physical competencies alongside academic achievement. This distinctive blend aims to foster confident, responsible learners who are connected to their community and the wider world.
History
Raheen Wood School was founded in 1986 as the first Steiner Waldorf school in Ireland. In later years it received state recognition as a co‑educational, multi‑denominational primary national school. For almost four decades the school has provided a unique Steiner‑based education in East Clare, and it now operates as a Steiner Community National School delivering the Irish national curriculum while retaining its distinctive holistic ethos.
Applying to Raheen Wood Community 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Raheen Wood Community National 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 Raheen Wood Community National School
How many pupils attend Raheen Wood Community National School?
Raheen Wood Community National School has 102 pupils enrolled, 51 girls and 51 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Raheen Wood Community National School a DEIS school?
No. Raheen Wood Community 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 Raheen Wood Community National School?
Raheen Wood Community National School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.