Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa
An Leacht, Clare
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 29 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 13 girls, 16 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18339P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa is a small, fully Irish‑medium primary school situated in the rural village of Moy, parish of Kilfarboy, County Clare. Under Catholic patronage, the school provides education for children from early years through the junior cycle, with Irish as the language of instruction in all subjects and activities. The ethos centres on delivering high‑quality Irish language education while fostering a supportive, joyful and inclusive environment for every pupil. The school operates with two classroom teachers and a part‑time learning‑support teacher, enabling small class sizes and personalised attention. Facilities include the original 1959 building, an additional classroom added in 1990, a modern hall opened in 2010 and the “Cairde Nua” pre‑school unit, which offers structured play, arts, crafts and storytelling in Irish for younger children. The school places great emphasis on collaborative relationships with parents, encouraging open communication and involvement in school life.
History
The original Moy National School was erected in 1846 with a Government grant of £285 and was led by the 18th‑century Gaelic poet Séamus Mac Cruitín. In 1959 a new school building replaced the old one, providing two classrooms for approximately 200 pupils. A third classroom was added in 1990. The school was officially recognised as a full Irish‑medium (scoil lán‑Ghaelach) institution by the Department of Education in 1981. A new hall was constructed in the summer of 2010, and a Whole‑School Evaluation in February 2011 praised the “excellent building and facilities” at the school.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef 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 Iosef 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 Iosef Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa has 29 pupils enrolled, 13 girls and 16 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa 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 Iosef Naofa teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Iosef Naofa teaches all subjects through Irish.