Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde
An Caisleán Gearr, Galway
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 130 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 57 girls, 73 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17759J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Bhríde is a growing primary school situated in the Mionloch area, just outside Galway city (under 5 km from Eyre Square). The school occupies a modern two‑storey building that opened in 2014, complemented by a full‑size sports hall and a grass pitch, as well as a well‑maintained playground. These facilities support a broad programme of physical education, including hurling, football, handball, and cricket, and provide space for a variety of after‑school clubs and music activities. As a *scoil sa Ghaeltacht*, all classroom instruction from the early years (Naíonáin) through to senior classes is delivered through Irish, with English introduced only in Rang A hAon. This immersion approach ensures pupils develop a natural fluency in Gaeilge, giving them a strong linguistic foundation for secondary education. The school benefits from its Gaeltacht status, receiving additional resources and support, and it offers a unique pre‑school unit (Bóín Dé) alongside a vibrant music programme and innovative sports leagues. The school community is Catholic and operates under the patronage of the Bishop of Galway. With approximately 190 pupils, a team of seven class teachers and dedicated support staff, Scoil Bhríde provides a comprehensive educational package that combines academic rigour, cultural heritage, and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde
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 Brighde. 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 Brighde
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde?
Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde has 130 pupils enrolled, 57 girls and 73 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde 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.
Does Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Brighde teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.