Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa
Ballygar, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 106 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 45 girls, 61 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14383V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Ballaghlea National School is a vibrant primary school situated on the N63, two miles outside the village of Ballygar, County Galway. Serving a close‑knit community of approximately 101 pupils, the school prides itself on fostering a welcoming environment where every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The school’s ethos, set out in its mission statement, promotes tolerance, respect, self‑esteem and high effort while recognising the diverse abilities of its learners. Strong collaboration between staff, parents and the wider community underpins daily life, creating a supportive atmosphere that encourages children to reach their full potential. The campus offers an extensive range of facilities that enhance both learning and play. Outdoor amenities include a large basketball court, all‑weather playing areas, an obstacle‑exercise trail, walking track, sandpit with a miniature “shop” and “post office”, a creative play tunnel, and a colourful playground adorned with bright murals. Pupils also benefit from access to the Mattie McDonagh Centre in Ballygar for gymnastics, a well‑equipped sensory room, five modern mainstream classrooms, three special‑educational rooms, interactive whiteboards in every classroom and school‑wide iPad provision. Additional supports such as free hot lunches, excellent broadband, newly installed solar panels and reliable bus services further enrich the school experience. A strong commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through ten Green Flags and participation in programmes such as Discover Science, Maths Week and the My Write a Book Competition.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig 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 Padraig 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 Padraig Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa has 106 pupils enrolled, 45 girls and 61 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig 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.
What is the ethos of Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.