Gaelscoil is thriving in the heart of Ballina

As Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol celebrates 25 years in Ballina we reflect on the growth and development of the school and the many successes the school community enjoyed over that time. To mark this momentous occasion, a service was held in St Patrick’s Church followed by a celebration in the school where some of the past and current pupils, staff and parents were entertained with stories and music.

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol was founded in 1998 by a group of committed local people who had a keen interest in educating their children through the medium of Irish and extending that opportunity to the local community. The efforts of this dedicated group and their commitment to their vision of “a scoil lán-Ghaeilge” cannot be overstated and the amount of hard work and determination that it would take to establish a new school cannot be underestimated. 

Together with the patron body, An Foras Patrúnachta, Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol opened its doors in a temporary location in Marian Crescent. This hardworking group persevered until they could move into their own school in the Ridge Pool Village. The school remained there until it moved to the Killala Road Business Park in 2009. The Gaelscoil was lucky to be able to move to the centre of town in 2018 when they moved into what was formerly ‘Scoil Pádraig’. The board of management is grateful to St Muredach’s Trust for allowing it to use the school building and continue educating the children in the heart of Ballina town. 

While the founding members may not have foreseen how successful this school would be, they can be very proud of how the school has blossomed and grown over the years. They opened their doors with 35 children in attendance – a stark contrast to the 133 children that walk the halls of Gaelscoil na gCeithre na Maol today.

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol is located in the centre of Ballina town, a stone’s throw from the River Moy. The staff consists of principal, Frances Ní Bhriain, eight teachers and support staff. The Irish language is at the heart of the school community. They strive to provide an excellent standard of education and to promote the Irish language, culture and heritage. Tumoideachas (Immersion Education) is practiced in school and Irish is the working language of the school. 

Pupils attending an Irish-medium school follow the same curriculum as laid out by the Department of Education. Classes are taught through the medium of Irish and pupils are encouraged to speak Irish with each other and staff. Research shows that children in immersion education do better in the reading and writing of English and Irish than the national average and also find it easier to learn a third language. Parents do not need to speak Irish in order for their children to attend and be successful in their education in Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol. Indeed, experience has shown that children succeed when parents display a positive and encouraging attitude. Past pupils have commented about the good grounding they receive in our national language, which is not only of benefit in secondary school but throughout life.

The school’s aim is not just to provide academic learning, but also to create a learning environment where pupils can develop to their full potential holistically, spiritually, physically, culturally and intellectually. The pupils are prepared for the ever-changing challenges that face them in today’s world. The overriding principle of the school is to provide equality of opportunity and inclusiveness for every child who comes through the doors.

The children regularly take part in many sporting and musical events, including Scór na nÓg, Cumann na mBunscol and Fléadh Mhaigh Eo. They also take part in the Credit Union Quiz and Moy Valley Cross County. As an active ‘Green School’, they have been awarded seven green flags. The flourishing school garden, where the children grow a variety of fruit, vegetables and plants, surrounds the school building. Children take part in traditional Irish music lessons and dancing lessons. There is an afterschool and homework club on site which allows parents a higher level of flexibility in their working day. TG4 has visited on several occasions and the children have taken part in TV shows in the Black Box in Galway.

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol is very fortunate to be awarded Eramus+ grants which has allowed pupils and teachers to participate in Eramus+ projects. These projects provide an opportunity to collaborate regularly with partner schools in Germany, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Portugal, Estonia and Croatia. These current projects ‘Reduce Consumption, Extend Life’ and ‘Promoting Interest in the STEAM Subjects to Bridge the Gender Gap’ allow teachers and students to work on those themes in school over the two years of the project. Students and teachers visit partner schools and also host students and teachers from partner schools in Ballina. These visitors often comment on the warm and friendly atmosphere in the school which is also echoed by parents and the local community who say that it feels like a home away from home for their children. This is something the school endeavours to continue as it develops.

The school has also faced challenges in recent times. None more so than the loss of inspirational principal Amanda Uí Mhurchú who died in 2022.

The Irish language is one of the oldest living languages in the world. It is part of our heritage and identity. In Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol, work continues to provide the children of Ballina, and surrounding areas, with the opportunity to access their education through their native language. The success of the school is a testament to the support and encouragement of many individuals and organisations. The school is grateful to An Foras Pátrúnachta, Board of Management members, Parents' Council members, staff, parents, students and all who work tirelessly to support the school.

As the great poet Seamus Heaney once wrote: ‘Not to learn Irish is to miss the opportunity of understanding what life in this country has meant and could mean in a better future.' Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol offers this opportunity, in conjunction with much more, to all its wonderful pupils.