Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain
Inis Oirr, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 33 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 14 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17289V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Chaomháin is a Gaeltacht primary school on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands, in County Galway. The school holds DEIS status and teaches all subjects through Irish. It is situated close to the beach on the island. Enrolment for the 2025-2026 school year is 33 pupils, taught by two class teachers and two special education and language support teachers. The school has a strong tradition of music and sean-nós singing. The island's population has grown from 247 people in 2006 to 347 in 2022, according to census figures, and the school states that every effort is made to foster love and respect for the Irish language.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain
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 Náisiúnta Caomhain. 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 Náisiúnta Caomhain
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain?
Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain has 33 pupils enrolled, 14 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain 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 Náisiúnta Caomhain teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Caomhain teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.
Illustration based on a photo by Gordon Hatton. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.