Ruan Central National School
Ruan, Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 75 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 33 girls, 42 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19442N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire Ruadhán is a vibrant primary school situated in the village of Ruan on the edge of the Burren. The school fosters a strong sense of community where pupils, staff and the Board of Management work together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. A broad curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extracurricular programmes, including hurling and football coaching, literacy initiatives such as Literacy Lift Off and Accelerated Reader, and a commitment to health and sustainability through Green School and Healthy Eating schemes. The school also embraces the arts, having been selected for the Arts Council’s Creative Schools programme (2021‑2023). This initiative places creativity at the heart of learning, providing students with opportunities to engage with artists and creative practitioners, and to develop confidence and well‑being through artistic expression. Modern facilities support both academic and sporting activities, and the historic original school building, dating from 1833, now serves as a community centre, linking past and present for the benefit of pupils and local residents alike.
History
The original primary school in Ruan was established in 1833 beside the local church. Over the years the building has been remodelled and now functions as a community centre, while the present Scoil Mhuire Ruadhán continues the tradition of primary education in the village, maintaining strong ties to its historic roots.
Applying to Ruan Central 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 Ruan Central 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 Ruan Central 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 Ruan Central National School
How many pupils attend Ruan Central National School?
Ruan Central National School has 75 pupils enrolled, 33 girls and 42 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ruan Central National School a DEIS school?
No. Ruan Central 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 Ruan Central National School?
Ruan Central National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by The Banner. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 3.0.