Who is the principal of Scoil Phobail?

Mary Kelly is the principal of Scoil Phobail, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Scoil Phobail a mixed school?

Yes. Scoil Phobail takes both boys and girls.

Is Scoil Phobail fee-paying?

No. Scoil Phobail 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?

Scoil Phobail has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscan brothers).

Does Scoil Phobail teach through Irish?

No. Scoil Phobail teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Scoil Phobail a DEIS school?

Yes. Scoil Phobail 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's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Phobail's roll number, 91412M, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Scoil Phobail?

The closest is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Scoil Phobail

Clifden, Co. Galway

489 studentsMixedDEISCommunity schoolTY

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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.

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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Students this year

489 students: 245 girls and 244 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 86
2nd year: 89
3rd year: 81
TY: 88
5th year: 68
6th year: 77

Transition Year: 88 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

Scoil Phobail is a community school in Clifden, Co. Galway (Eircode H71 W673). Scoil Phobail has 489 students: 244 boys and 245 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Community school
Boys and girls: Mixed · 244 boys, 245 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Inter-denominational
Patron: Galway & Roscommon ETB Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscan brothers)
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 91412M

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 Scoil Phobail?: Scoil Phobail is a community school in Clifden, Co. Galway (Eircode H71 W673).
How many students go to Scoil Phobail?: Scoil Phobail has 489 students: 244 boys and 245 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Scoil Phobail?: Mary Kelly is the principal of Scoil Phobail, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Scoil Phobail a mixed school?: Yes. Scoil Phobail takes both boys and girls.
Is Scoil Phobail fee-paying?: No. Scoil Phobail 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?: Scoil Phobail has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB Order of the Friars Minor (Franciscan brothers).
Does Scoil Phobail teach through Irish?: No. Scoil Phobail teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Scoil Phobail have Transition Year?: 88 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 Scoil Phobail a DEIS school?: Yes. Scoil Phobail 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's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Scoil Phobail's roll number, 91412M, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Scoil Phobail?: The closest is Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Scoil Phobail compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Next date	Irish-medium	DEIS
Scoil PhobailThis school		489	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	Yes
Scoil Phobail Mhic DaraCarna	21.8 km	117	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	Yes	Yes
Coláiste Na bPiarsachRos Muc	29.1 km	54	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	Yes	Yes
Sancta Maria CollegeLouisburgh	34.9 km	571	Mixed	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct	No	No
Scoil Chuimsitheach ChiaráinAn Cheathrú Rua	37.0 km	440	Mixed	Comprehensive school	Free	None found yet	Yes	Yes
Coláiste Naomh FeichínCorr na Mona	37.9 km	63	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	Yes	No
Coláiste Naomh ÉinneOileain Árann	45.6 km	59	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	Yes	No

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

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Contact

Ardbear
Clifden
Co Galway
H71W673

Principal: Mary Kelly on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 095 21184
Email: [email protected]
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Primary schools nearby

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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 for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar