Who is the principal of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?

Roger Geagan is the principal of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa a mixed school?

Yes. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa takes both boys and girls.

Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa fee-paying?

No. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.

What is the ethos of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?

Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.

Does Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa teach through Irish?

No. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa a DEIS school?

Yes. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where can I read Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa's roll number, 72530L, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?

The closest is Killina Presentation Secondary School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa

Clara, Co. Offaly

333 studentsMixedDEISCommunity college (ETB)TY

Strike: most secondary schools are expected to close on Wednesday, 21 October. Work-to-rule: some evening events, including open nights, may not go ahead. Check with the school. What it means

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Open night and deadlines Compare with others

Applying for September 2027

Applications open: Thursday, 15 October (passed)First Year Group applications open
Applications close: Friday, 13 NovemberFirst Year Group applications closeAdd to calendar
Offers by: Tuesday, 24 NovemberFirst Year Group and Special Class offersAdd to calendar
Accept by: Wednesday, 9 DecemberSuccessful applicants must confirm acceptanceAdd to calendar

From the school's website, checked 17 October. Always confirm with the school.

Never miss a date. Get a notification the day before an open night, and before applications close.

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How secondary admissions work · Open nights in Co. Offaly

Students this year

333 students: 153 girls and 180 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 43
2nd year: 61
3rd year: 61
TY: 59
5th year: 48
6th year: 61

Transition Year: 59 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.

What it costs

Tuition fees: None. The school is in the free education scheme.
Schoolbooks: Free in every year, including TY, under the free schoolbooks scheme.

We haven't found this school's voluntary contribution or device policy yet. What secondary school costs, and the schemes that help

At a glance

Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is a community college (etb) in Clara, Co. Offaly (Eircode R35 H974). Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa has 333 students: 180 boys and 153 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Community college (ETB)
Boys and girls: Mixed · 180 boys, 153 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Multi-denominational
Patron: Laois & Offaly ETB
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 72530L

Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie

Explained: what DEIS means · types of school · how to choose

Questions parents ask

Where is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?: Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is a community college (etb) in Clara, Co. Offaly (Eircode R35 H974).
How many students go to Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?: Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa has 333 students: 180 boys and 153 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?: Roger Geagan is the principal of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa a mixed school?: Yes. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa takes both boys and girls.
Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa fee-paying?: No. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.
What is the ethos of Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?: Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.
Does Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa teach through Irish?: No. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa have Transition Year?: 59 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
Is Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa a DEIS school?: Yes. Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where can I read Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa's roll number, 72530L, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa?: The closest is Killina Presentation Secondary School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Next date	Irish-medium	DEIS
Ardscoil Chiaráin NaofaThis school		333	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Applications close, Fri, 13 Nov	No	Yes
Killina Presentation Secondary SchoolTullamore	7.8 km	759	Mixed	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No
Meán Scoil an ChlochairKilbeggan	9.0 km	740	Mixed	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct	No	No
Moate Community SchoolMoate	9.8 km	913	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	No
Sacred Heart Secondary SchoolTullamore	11.0 km	571	Girls	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No
Tullamore CollegeTullamore	11.1 km	742	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	No	Yes
Colaiste ChoilmTulach Mhor	11.2 km	699	Boys	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct	No	No

Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.

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Contact

Frederick St.
Clara
Co. Offaly
R35H974

Principal: Roger Geagan on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 057 933 1231
Email: [email protected]
Website: ascnclara.ie
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Primary schools nearby

On our sister site, primaryschool.ie

Next school holidays

Strike: most secondary schools are expected to close on Wednesday, 21 October. Strikes and work-to-rule

In 8 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
In 9 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
In 17 weeksFebruary mid-term breakMon, 15 February to Fri 19 February 2027

These dates are set for every secondary school in Ireland. Check with Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar