Sylane National School
Tuam, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 90 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 36 girls, 54 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 06489S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Sylane National School is a small, rural, co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the parish of Corofin, five miles outside Tuam in County Galway. With a roll of around ninety pupils, the school provides a nurturing environment that balances academic rigour with a caring, happy and secure atmosphere. The curriculum is designed to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each child, encouraging confidence, lifelong learning and respect for the environment. A strong Catholic ethos underpins daily life, while respect and recognition are given to all other religions, and gender equity is actively promoted among staff and pupils. The school operates a full‑day programme that includes a Breakfast Club (7:30‑8:50 am), a Homework Club (2:50‑6:00 pm) and a Pre/After‑School service, supporting families with flexible care. Parents are encouraged to engage closely with the school through regular newsletters, home‑school contacts and formal meetings, fostering a vibrant community spirit. The school’s motto, “Mól an Óige”, reflects its commitment to nurturing youth in a supportive, inclusive setting. Modern facilities complement the historic building, featuring a large hall with kitchen, en‑suite toilets, staffroom, and a range of specialised classrooms. Recent extensions have added contemporary learning spaces, storerooms and support rooms, creating a well‑equipped environment for a diverse range of activities and extracurricular programmes.
History
Sylane National School was founded in 1852 to serve the estate of the Catholic landlords, the Oanniversary family, making it one of the oldest national schools in Ireland. The original three‑classroom building from that year still stands, having been expanded over time. In 1994 indoor toilets were added, followed by a staffroom in 1995. A major extension opened in 2005, providing two new classrooms, storerooms, en‑suite toilets, an office and a large hall with kitchen and additional facilities. The 2009 refurbishment modernised the historic block, creating two modern classrooms with en‑suite toilets and two support‑teacher rooms. In 2008 the surrounding area received the Golden Mile award, recognising its rich heritage, including a cillín, an old walled garden, an oratory and the clandestine Clais an Aifrinn used during penal times.
Applying to Sylane 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 Sylane 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 Sylane National School
How many pupils attend Sylane National School?
Sylane National School has 90 pupils enrolled, 36 girls and 54 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Sylane National School a DEIS school?
No. Sylane 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 Sylane National School?
Sylane National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.