Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe
Thurles, Tipperary
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 132 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 61 girls, 71 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17580P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gortnahoe National School is a mixed‑gender primary school situated in Gortnahoe, Thurles, County Tipperary. The school follows a Catholic ethos, delivering a curriculum that balances academic learning with spiritual development and a strong emphasis on whole‑school wellbeing. Each month the Wellbeing Plan focuses on themes such as healthy habits, meditation, growth mindset and mindfulness, providing students with practical skills for mental, emotional and physical health. The campus comprises five modern classrooms, two specialised education rooms, and a purpose‑built extension that serves both the school and the local community. The grounds feature a fully tarmac‑adamant playground with marked areas, and direct access to a neighbouring GAA field with separate dressing rooms for boys and girls. Facilities are heated by oil‑powered radiators and have been upgraded with a new heating system (2015) and rewiring (2016). The school also offers after‑school services on a licensed basis, sports programmes, and a range of resources through its Parents Zone, supporting a holistic and inclusive learning environment.
History
Gortnahoe National School opened in 1947 with two classrooms, using the former school building beside the church. A third teacher was added in 1956, initially teaching in the old building until a third classroom was added to the new school in 1961. The school expanded further when Graigue National School closed in 1973 and Clonmicklon National School closed in 1981, both transferring pupils to Gortnahoe. In 1980 a fourth classroom and a purpose room were erected; a 1993 extension added another classroom, a storeroom and a staff room. By 2011 an additional extension was built for community use, and the playground was surfaced with tarmacadam. Today the school has five classrooms, two special‑education rooms, modern heating (installed 2015) and updated electrical systems (rewired 2016), as well as access to a local GAA field with separate dressing facilities.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe
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 Gort Na Huaighe. 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 Gort Na Huaighe
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe?
Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe has 132 pupils enrolled, 61 girls and 71 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe 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 Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe?
Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Huaighe has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.