Sylane National 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.