Scoil Na Gcoillini
Swinford, Mayo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 97 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 41 girls, 56 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 02912G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil na Gcoillíní is a co‑educational, rural national school situated in Culleens, Meelick, approximately five kilometres from Swinford in County Mayo. The school serves a close‑knit community of around 97 pupils and provides a broad curriculum that includes the core subjects alongside a wide range of extracurricular activities such as drumming workshops, swimming lessons, art competitions and seasonal celebrations. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive education, with dedicated special‑education support and learning‑support rooms to cater for pupils with additional needs, ensuring that every child can participate fully in classroom life. The campus comprises four modern classrooms, a resource room, a learning‑support room, a purpose‑built hall and well‑equipped staff facilities. Recent investment through a 2021 grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan has supplied extra laptops and LEGO resources, helping to bridge the digital divide for learners at risk of educational disadvantage. The school’s ethos promotes kindness, faith and community involvement, reflected in regular events such as Catholic Schools Week, parent‑association activities and collaborations with local cultural sites.
History
The original Meelick National School was constructed in 1883; that building now functions as the local community centre. The current school building was erected in 1965 and was substantially extended in 2006, adding further classrooms and specialised spaces. In 2021 the school received a grant from the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) to purchase additional laptops and LEGO kits, supporting learners facing digital disadvantage.
Applying to Scoil Na Gcoillini
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 Na Gcoillini. 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 Na Gcoillini
How many pupils attend Scoil Na Gcoillini?
Scoil Na Gcoillini has 97 pupils enrolled, 41 girls and 56 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Na Gcoillini a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Na Gcoillini 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 Na Gcoillini?
Scoil Na Gcoillini has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.