Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 440 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 241 girls, 199 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 81012N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin is a co-educational secondary school in the Gaeltacht area of Co na Gaillimhe. All pupils are taught all subjects through Irish. The school has DEIS status and an enrolment of approximately 440 students. The curriculum includes the Junior Cycle and Transition Year, with students in Bliain 1 through Bliain 6. The school offers a range of extracurricular activities including sport, music and debate. A calm room (Rang Suaimhneas) is available within the school. The school states its mission as fostering an open community among pupils and guardians.
History
The school opened in 1966, one of the first three comprehensive schools in the country. It was formed through the amalgamation of two existing schools on an Cheathrú Rua: a vocational school (Gairmscoil) established in the 1930s, and a secondary school founded in 1959 by the Presentation Sisters (Ord na Toirbhirte). The site on Bóthar an Chillín was chosen due to the local population, and two houses were demolished to make space. The first board of management met in May 1966, and the official opening took place on 28 November 1966. In 1987 the convent building was transferred to the school and its rooms are now used for classes and storage. A playing field at the back of the school opened in 2015 with support from parents, the community and a departmental grant.
Applying to Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin. 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
How many pupils attend Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin?
Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin has 440 pupils enrolled, 241 girls and 199 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
Does Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.