Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin
Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 176 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 88 girls, 88 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17007I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Ard Raithin is a Catholic national primary school situated in the village of Ardrahan, County Galway. The school provides a supportive, faith‑based learning environment for roughly 176 pupils, combining mainstream instruction with dedicated special‑education provision. Its curriculum is delivered in line with the Irish national framework while placing strong emphasis on the holistic development of each child – academically, spiritually, socially and environmentally. The campus has been expanded in recent years to include modern facilities such as four new classrooms, a well‑stocked library, a multi‑purpose hall, specialised rooms for special‑education needs, a dedicated SET (Special Educational Needs) room and a spacious, well‑maintained playground. Central heating, updated toilets and a recent roof refurbishment ensure a comfortable setting throughout the year. The school’s ethos promotes mutual respect, high professional standards, and close partnership between staff, parents and the wider community, fostering a safe and happy atmosphere in which pupils can thrive.
History
Labane National School was founded in 1934 by Canon John Considine, originally staffed by three teachers. The school remained largely unchanged until part of its playground was lost to the Labane bypass development. In the 1980s the building was re‑roofed, new toilets were installed and central heating was added, while parochial land was allocated to create the current playing field. A major extension opened in 2008, adding four classrooms, a library, a multi‑purpose hall, special‑education rooms, a staff room and an office. A further extension in 2022 provided an additional classroom and a dedicated SET room. Notable leadership includes a long‑serving principal from 1964‑2006, followed by a successor until 2016, and the current principal overseeing the school’s continued growth.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin
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
View Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Náisiúnta Ard Raithin
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin?
Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin has 176 pupils enrolled, 88 girls and 88 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin 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 Náisiúnta Ard Raithin?
Scoil Náisiúnta Ard Raithin has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.