Who is the principal of Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?

Uas. Dara O Maoilchiarain is the principal of Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara a mixed school?

Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara takes both boys and girls.

Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara fee-paying?

No. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara 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 Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB Religious Sisters of Mercy.

Does Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara teach through Irish?

Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is a Gaelcholáiste, so students learn every subject through Irish.

Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara a DEIS school?

Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where can I read Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara's roll number, 91411K, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?

The closest is Coláiste Na bPiarsach. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara

Carna, Co. Galway

117 studentsMixedGaelcholáisteDEISCommunity schoolTY optional

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Applying for September 2027

We haven't found this school's dates for September 2027 entry yet. Schools usually hold open nights from September and open applications from October; the admission notice on the school's website has the exact window.

We check school websites every week and add dates as soon as they're published. Visit the school's website.

Get this school's dates when they're published. 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. Galway

Students this year

117 students: 59 girls and 58 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 17
2nd year: 16
3rd year: 27
TY: 13
5th year: 29
6th year: 15

Transition Year: 13 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (27). That usually means TY is optional here.

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

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is a community school in Carna, Co. Galway (Eircode H91 DH50). Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara has 117 students: 58 boys and 59 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Community school
Boys and girls: Mixed · 58 boys, 59 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Inter-denominational
Patron: Galway & Roscommon ETB Religious Sisters of Mercy
Language: Gaelcholáiste: all subjects through Irish
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 91411K
Gaeltacht: Yes

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

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

Questions parents ask

Where is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?: Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is a community school in Carna, Co. Galway (Eircode H91 DH50).
How many students go to Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?: Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara has 117 students: 58 boys and 59 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?: Uas. Dara O Maoilchiarain is the principal of Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara a mixed school?: Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara takes both boys and girls.
Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara fee-paying?: No. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara 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 Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?: Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB Religious Sisters of Mercy.
Does Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara teach through Irish?: Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is a Gaelcholáiste, so students learn every subject through Irish.
Does Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara have Transition Year?: 13 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (27). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara a DEIS school?: Yes. Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where can I read Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara's roll number, 91411K, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara?: The closest is Coláiste Na bPiarsach. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Irish-medium	DEIS
Scoil Phobail Mhic DaraThis school		117	Mixed	Community school	Free	Yes	Yes
Coláiste Na bPiarsachRos Muc	15.4 km	54	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	Yes
Scoil Chuimsitheach ChiaráinAn Cheathrú Rua	16.2 km	440	Mixed	Comprehensive school	Free	Yes	Yes
Scoil PhobailClifden	21.8 km	489	Mixed	Community school	Free	No	Yes
Coláiste Naomh ÉinneOileain Árann	24.1 km	59	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	No
Colaiste CholmcilleIndreabhán	29.8 km	101	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	Yes
Coláiste Naomh EoinOileáin Árann	30.4 km	41	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	No

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

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Contact

Carna
Co na Gaillimhe
H91DH50

Principal: Uas. Dara O Maoilchiarain on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 095 32245
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.spmd.ie
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Next school holidays

In 9 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
In 10 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 Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar