Gaelscoil Phort Lairge
School Details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Phort Lairge is an Irish‑medium primary school serving the Port Lairge community, offering education from Junior Infants through to Senior Classes (R6). The school delivers the national curriculum through the medium of Gaeilge, fostering bilingual proficiency and a strong cultural identity. Emphasis is placed on collaborative learning, participation in national festivals such as Feile na Scol, Slógadh, and the International Festival of Music, as well as active involvement in sport through Cumann na mBunscoil, with football and athletics programmes. The school benefits from a purpose‑built facility opened after extensive renovation in 2007, providing eight modern classrooms and dedicated spaces for music, art and physical education. In 2021 the school received a European Union grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan to address the digital divide, enabling the introduction of enhanced ICT resources and support for learners at risk of educational disadvantage. These initiatives underline the school’s commitment to inclusive, forward‑looking education within a supportive community environment.
History
Gaelscoil Phort Lairge was founded in 1984 to meet the demand for Irish‑language education, initially operating in Teach Viewmount with a small number of classrooms. In 1991 the school relocated to the vacant Scoil Mhuire building, which was purchased by the Department of Education and adapted for Gaelscoil use. Major refurbishment of the old building was completed in 2007, resulting in eight classrooms and improved facilities. The school has grown steadily, expanding its enrolment and programme offerings, and in 2021 secured a grant under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to implement digital inclusion projects.