Scoil Mhuire
Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 256 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 122 girls, 134 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19965W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire is a co‑educational, inclusive primary school serving the Clarinbridge community with a roll of around 278 pupils. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, integrating academic learning with a wide range of extracurricular activities such as Lego robotics, junior enterprise projects and local history investigations. Modern, spacious classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards support a technology‑enhanced curriculum, while dedicated learning support rooms ensure that every child’s needs are met. The campus offers extensive indoor and outdoor facilities that encourage active play and sport. A large outdoor learning area includes a hurling pitch with goals, a basketball court, astroturf, and a specially designed garden space. Inside, a sizeable sports/assembly hall with a stage provides a venue for performances and assemblies. Additional amenities such as a gross‑motor area and a well‑appointed kitchen complement the school’s commitment to a balanced, experiential education.
History
- 1844: The original convent, “Our Lady of Mercy”, was consecrated, marking the Sisters of Charity’s arrival in Clarinbridge. - 1959: A new primary school building was opened after extensive fundraising, costing £14,080, with contributions from the Department of Education and the local community. - 1984: A new extension added staff rooms, a kitchen, a school hall and extra classrooms, officially opened by Canon D. Higgins. - 1991: The boys’ school amalgamated with Scoil Mhuire, allowing boys to attend up to 6th class and expanding the school’s sporting tradition. - 2015: A major extension introduced modern classrooms, learning support rooms, a kitchen and a contemporary sports hall. - 2018: A further extension added an astroturf area, a garden space and reseeded pitches; the Sisters of Charity relocated to Dublin, ending 174 years of their presence. - 2023: Minister of Education Norma Foley officially opened the newest extensions, celebrating the school’s continued growth and community involvement.
Applying to Scoil Mhuire
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 Mhuire. 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 Mhuire
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has 256 pupils enrolled, 122 girls and 134 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Mhuire 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 Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.