Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa
Woodford, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 34 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 17 girls, 17 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17547R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Derryoober National School is a small, intimate Catholic primary school set in the picturesque countryside of South‑East Galway, overlooking Lough Derg and just three kilometres from the Clare border. The school prides itself on a child‑centred ethos that recognises and nurtures the uniqueness of each pupil, fostering a happy, caring and safe learning environment where respect for people and the environment is paramount. The curriculum follows the Primary School Curriculum of the Department of Education and Skills and is delivered mainly through English, complemented by a strong Catholic ethos that integrates Christian values and Irish cultural heritage. With a low pupil‑teacher ratio, the school can provide individualised attention across all subjects, and every child has access to learning support and resource teachers. Modern facilities include two mainstream classrooms, specialist learning‑support rooms, a well‑stocked library, an assembly hall, and state‑of‑the‑art IT resources such as iPads, interactive whiteboards and coding classes. Beyond academics, Derryoober offers a comprehensive extra‑curricular programme: a breakfast club (8 am‑9 am), after‑school care until 6 pm, a full‑size sports pitch, basketball court, swimming and hurling activities, and a two‑acre playground. Free textbooks, school lunches, transport and a vibrant sports programme further enhance the holistic development of its pupils.
History
Derryoober National School was established in 1855 as a two‑teacher school. It was renovated in 1889, and a new school building was erected in 1947. A toilet block was added in the 1960s, and major renovations were carried out in 2009/2010, resulting in the current layout of two mainstream classrooms, learning‑support/resource rooms, a library, assembly hall and staff/meeting rooms.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa has 34 pupils enrolled, 17 girls and 17 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.