St Colmans National School
Cloontia, Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 34 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 13 girls, 21 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19798G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Colman’s National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the rural community of Derrinabroc, Ballaghaderreen, County Mayo. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that incorporates the Irish national programme alongside a range of enrichment activities. Core academic subjects are supported by digital learning tools such as IXL Maths, Nessy, and Scholastic Reading, while the school’s participation in the Digital School of Distinction highlights its commitment to integrating technology across the classroom. Beyond the classroom, St. Colman’s offers a vibrant after‑school programme that includes sports, Gaelic games, cross‑country running and a variety of creative pursuits such as music, drama and visual arts. The school follows the Aistear early childhood framework and holds the Active School Blue Flag, reflecting a strong emphasis on health, wellbeing and environmental awareness. Regular events such as Science Week, Well‑Being Days and community‑led projects foster a supportive, inclusive atmosphere for pupils to develop confidence and social skills. The school’s facilities support both academic and extracurricular learning, with dedicated spaces for computer programming, indoor and outdoor sports, and specialised areas for arts and crafts. Partnerships with local organisations and participation in national initiatives, such as the FÍS film projects, provide pupils with opportunities to engage with the wider community and develop a sense of cultural heritage.
Applying to St Colmans 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 Colmans 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 Colmans National School
How many pupils attend St Colmans National School?
St Colmans National School has 34 pupils enrolled, 13 girls and 21 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Colmans National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Colmans National School 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 St Colmans National School?
St Colmans National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.