Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil
Ballina, Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 64 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 38 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- Some subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13222P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire, Gleann a Chaisil is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school that provides a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment for children aged 4‑12. The school’s ethos balances a strong Catholic foundation with respect for all other faiths, aiming to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each pupil. Emphasis is placed on fostering self‑esteem, gender equity and the professional development of staff, while encouraging active parental involvement through regular home‑school contact. The school has recently expanded its facilities with a state‑of‑the‑art Special Needs extension. The new building adds three modern classrooms, upgraded toilets, a dedicated office, an electrical switch room and a welcoming canopy at the entrance. These spaces support a comprehensive inclusive programme that includes a Multi‑Disability Class, an Autism Class, an Early Intervention Class and a Multiple Class, alongside three mainstream classes. A vibrant school community is reflected in an active blog that shares weekly news and events, and a commitment to continuous improvement through staff development programmes. The school strives to create a nurturing atmosphere where every child can thrive academically and socially.
History
The school building opened in 1968 as a three‑teacher school. In 1989 a Multi‑Disability Class was introduced, and a purpose‑built unit for this class was completed in 1998. An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit began in 2015, followed by an Early Intervention Class for autistic children in 2021. Today the school comprises three mainstream classes, a Multi‑Disability Class, an Autism Class and an Early Intervention Class.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil
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 Gleann A Chaisil. 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 Gleann A Chaisil
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil?
Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil has 64 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 38 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil 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 Gleann A Chaisil teach through Irish?
Partly. Scoil Náisiúnta Gleann A Chaisil teaches some subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.