St Brendans National School
CLOGHANS HILL, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 39 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 20 girls, 19 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20040A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Nestled in the heart of Milltown, Co. Galway, Belmont National School is a small, two‑classroom primary school that serves as an extension of the home and local community. The school provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment, staffed by a team of classroom teachers and special‑education teachers who work together to ensure every child feels valued and can thrive. Its ethos centres on fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging individual growth and nurturing a love of learning, with strong partnerships between families and the school to help each pupil reach their full potential. The school’s facilities include a junior room and a senior room, the latter equipped with Google Chromebooks purchased through a 2021 grant aimed at bridging the digital divide for learners at risk of educational disadvantage. Belmont NS benefits from a recent investment under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan, reinforcing its commitment to modern, technology‑enhanced education while maintaining a close‑knit, community‑focused atmosphere. The school’s eircode is H54 HY75 and it can be contacted on 093 51528.
History
Records indicate a school existed on the site in 1864, with James Corcoran as its first master, followed by Martin Mannion, Julie Smyth and Ellen Geraghty. In 1881 a one‑room school was built on land donated by Jack Tierney; it was enlarged in 1900 to accommodate 138 pupils, though attendance was irregular during harvest periods. By 1970 the original building had fallen into disrepair, and a new three‑classroom school was constructed, opening on 20 November 1972 with Mrs O’Connor as principal. In the 1990s Dalgin NS closed and amalgamated with Belmont NS, prompting the introduction of a school bus service for children from the Dalgin area. Notable principals have included Ellen Geraghty, James O’Kane, Michael Acton, Christy Molloy, Seán Callaghan, Kathleen O’Connor, Eleanor Sheridan and Martina McGrath.
Applying to St Brendans National School
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 St Brendans National School. 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 St Brendans National School
How many pupils attend St Brendans National School?
St Brendans National School has 39 pupils enrolled, 20 girls and 19 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Brendans National School a DEIS school?
No. St Brendans National School 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 St Brendans National School?
St Brendans National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.