Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche
School Details
Location
About
Gaelscoil na Cruaiche is an all‑Irish, Catholic primary school situated on Golf Course Road, Westport, Co. Mayo. It provides full‑time immersion education from Junior Infants through Sixth Class, with a dedicated Naíonra for pre‑school children housed within the same modern building. The curriculum follows the national programme while placing a strong emphasis on the Irish language, ensuring pupils develop fluency in both Irish and English alongside the core subjects. A broad range of extracurricular activities enriches school life, including Irish dancing, music, art, gardening, French, sport and a vibrant club programme such as the Breakfast Club and After‑School Service. The school’s facilities include purpose‑built classrooms, specialist rooms for art, music and science, and outdoor spaces for sport and gardening. Digital resources are supported through an online payment system (Aladdin Pay) and a regularly updated calendar for the academic year. Communication with families is fostered via an active Instagram page, weekly newsletters and a well‑maintained website that offers easy access to policies, event information and community links.
History
Gaelscoil na Cruaiche opened as a Catholic primary school in September 1995 with seven pupils. It received temporary recognition from the Department of Education and Science in 1996 and came under the patronage of the Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoile Lán Ghaeilge. The school was officially opened on 1 September 1996, with Mairéad Ní Ruáin appointed as principal. Permanent recognition was granted in 2000, and the school has since expanded to a staff of thirteen teachers, a special‑needs assistant and a pupil roll of approximately 198, plus 22 in the Naíonra. Planning permission for a permanent building was secured in 2007 and the new premises were occupied in June 2011.