Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa
Loughrea, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 328 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 272 girls, 56 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16762Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Ita’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Loughrea, County Galway. The school prides itself on being well‑resourced, offering a broad, balanced curriculum that encourages children to engage in meaningful educational experiences. Learning takes place in a supportive environment that values friendship, co‑operation and community, with a strong emphasis on both academic achievement and personal development. A wide range of extra‑curricular activities enriches the pupils’ experience, including active school projects, art, athletics, band, choir, drama, Gaelic games, Green Schools initiatives, a homework club, tennis, volleyball, information technology, Irish dancing, quizzes and swimming. The school also celebrates cultural and sporting events such as Seachtain na Gaeilge, St Patrick’s Day parades, sports days, science workshops and the Manning Cup, fostering a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere that nurtures talent and confidence.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa
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 Ide Naofa. 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 Ide Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa has 328 pupils enrolled, 272 girls and 56 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa 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 Ide Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Ide Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.