Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní
Maigh Cuilinn, Galway
Key facts
- Gaeltacht
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 84 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 36 girls, 48 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13415D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Cholmáin, Tuairíní is a co‑educational national school situated five minutes from Moycullen village, eight minutes from Barna and ten minutes from Galway city. The school operates with a dedicated teaching team, including a part‑time English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher and two special‑needs assistants, providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all pupils. Emphasising a holistic approach, the school blends a strong Irish language tradition with a broad, balanced curriculum that encourages academic achievement, personal development and community engagement. The school’s ethos centres on fostering happiness, confidence and character in every child. It promotes equality, respects diversity and encourages parental involvement through an active Parents’ Association and Board of Management. Strong links with local clubs and organisations enrich extracurricular provision, while recent extensions have expanded classroom capacity and modernised facilities, enabling a range of programmes such as Montessori, morning clubs and after‑school activities.
History
The site originally hosted a hedge school in the 1820s, later replaced by a thatched cottage where Master Mark Walsh taught the three R’s. Scoil Cholmáin, Tuairíní was formally established as a National School in 1887, with Ms Sabina Murphy as its first teacher and principal, followed by Mr Paddy McDonagh and later principals including Con O'Donohue (1928) and Vincent Higgins (1978). Extensions were added in 1990 and again in 2005 (opened 2011), expanding the school to a four‑teacher institution. Leadership changes continued with Mark Regan appointed principal in 1999, succeeded by Aideen Molloy in 2022, and further staff appointments through 2023.
Applying to Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní
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 Cholmáin Tuairíní. 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 Cholmáin Tuairíní
How many pupils attend Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní?
Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní has 84 pupils enrolled, 36 girls and 48 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní 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 Cholmáin Tuairíní teach through Irish?
Scoil Cholmáin Tuairíní is located in a Gaeltacht area, where Irish is a community language. The Department of Education record for the school lists no subjects taught through Irish.