Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh
Kildare
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 376 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 212 girls, 164 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19680G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Chearbhaill Uí Dhálaigh is a full‑Irish‑language Catholic primary school offering education from the early years (Naíonáin Shóisearacha) through to Class Six. The school is dedicated to the holistic development of each child, fostering a happy, safe and enjoyable learning environment where active, child‑centred pedagogy is central. A strong emphasis is placed on the Irish language and cultural heritage, with programmes that celebrate Gaelic music, dance, sport and traditional arts alongside a modern curriculum that includes ETIM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) initiatives recognised with a Gold Award. The school’s facilities support a broad range of learning experiences: purpose‑built classrooms, a playing field acquired in the early 1990s, and dedicated spaces for digital skills development. The ethos prioritises whole‑child development, encouraging social competence, high moral standards and a wide spectrum of academic, practical and life‑skills learning, all delivered through Irish. Cultural enrichment is woven throughout, with activities in literature, history, geography, science, folklore and the living heritage of Ireland, ensuring pupils grow confident in both their native language and wider world.
History
A group of community members convened in January 1979 with the vision of providing Irish‑medium education. Scoil Uí Dhálaigh opened on 11 September 1979 with three pupils, becoming the first Gaelic school on the western edge of the city. After early challenges, including storm damage to the original thatched building, the school relocated in 1986 to the former Léim an Bhradáin campus. Expansion continued with eight new classrooms opened in 1993 and the acquisition of a playing field. Subsequent development created the “Brú an Bhradáin” centre, supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and the school was honoured with the “Eacht na Mílaoise” award for its community contributions.
Applying to Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh
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 C.Ui Dhalaigh. 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 C.Ui Dhalaigh
How many pupils attend Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh?
Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh has 376 pupils enrolled, 212 girls and 164 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh a DEIS school?
No. Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh 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 C.Ui Dhalaigh teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh teaches all subjects through Irish.