Scoil Mhuire
Clifden, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 241 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 121 girls, 120 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19973V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire, Clifden is a co‑educational post‑primary school that positions itself as a Christian community offering a caring, stable and holistic learning environment. The school emphasises partnership with families and the wider community to support every pupil’s academic progress, wellbeing and personal development. A strong focus on both the arts and sport is evident, with a vibrant music programme that includes an orchestra, various bands and choirs, as well as regular chess tournaments and a comprehensive physical‑education curriculum delivered through the Active School initiative. The campus benefits from modern infrastructure, notably high‑speed broadband provided under the Department of Education’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, enabling enhanced digital learning opportunities. Facilities support a broad curriculum that balances traditional academic subjects with extracurricular activities, fostering resilience, concentration and sportsmanship among students. The school’s ethos encourages empowerment of pupils, teachers and parents alike, aiming to nurture confident, well‑rounded individuals prepared for further education and life beyond the classroom.
History
The school originated in the 1940s as a “Secondary Top” for girls, established by the Sisters of Mercy to address the lack of secondary education in Clifden. The first Intermediate examination in 1943 achieved a 100 % pass rate, and the inaugural Leaving Certificate in 1945 saw three pupils attain honours. In 1959 the Secondary Top transitioned to a recognised secondary school under the leadership of Sr M Immaculate, and over the following decades the school built a reputation for strong academic results, university scholarships and a distinguished music tradition featuring orchestras, bands and annual operettas.
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 241 pupils enrolled, 121 girls and 120 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire 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.
What is the ethos of Scoil Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.