














Esker N.S.
Esker, Athenry, Co. Galway · H65 HY10 · Roll number 01000E
Esker N.S. is one of 2 primary schools in or within 3 km of Athenry. Every school in and around Athenry →
What stands out about Esker N.S.
- A small primary school: 65 pupils, against a typical 131.
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Smaller than it was: 65 pupils, 37% fewer than the 103 of 2019/20.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Clonfert; its ethos is Catholic.
- Outside Athenry’s outline, 4.4 km away; listed with Athenry, the nearest town in its county.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Esker N.S. had 65 pupils in 2025/26, down from 106 in 2015/16 (−39%). Girls are 43% of them. Its roll rose in 2 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Esker N.S.
Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing schools by them, so this school has no letter and nothing here ranks it. Its facts are the Department of Education’s; its inspection reports are linked below.
What the Department of Education does publish for Esker N.S. is on this page: its pupils each September since 2015/16, girls and boys, its patron and ethos, whether it teaches through Irish, whether it is in DEIS, and its inspection reports.
Newspapers print lists of how many of a school’s leavers go on to college. Those count destinations, not exam results, and depend on who a school takes in; we don’t use them.
Inspection reports on Esker N.S.
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate visits schools and publishes its reports. The reports describe what inspectors saw; they give no overall grade, and we don’t make one. Reports for this school on gov.ie ↗
Inspectors visit every kind of school. Whole-school evaluations look at teaching and learning, leadership and management; subject inspections look at one subject; follow-through inspections check whether earlier advice was taken. Each report is published on gov.ie with the school’s response.
Getting a place at Esker N.S.
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Esker N.S. directly. Children can start once they are four and must be in school by six; the school’s yearly admission notice gives the dates for applying and for its decisions.
A school with more applicants than places admits on the criteria in its admission policy, often brothers and sisters, the area it serves and, for post-primary schools, its feeder primaries. A family refused a place can appeal.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Esker N.S. has shrunk by 37% since 2019/20. All the schools around Athenry together changed by +20%.
Pupils since 2019/20
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).
Side by side with the nearest primary schools
2025/26The nearest schools of the same kind, as the crow flies: their pupils, ethos and language. No results: none are published.
Of the 6 nearest primary schools, 5 have more pupils than Esker N.S.. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −37%; 4 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esker N.S. | 65 | −37% | Catholic | English | ||
| Togala Mhuire | 198 | +32% | Catholic | English | 3 km | |
| Athenry Primary School | 501 | – | Catholic | English | 5 km | |
| Gaelscoil Riada | 158 | −42% | Catholic | All in Irish | 5.1 km | |
| S.N. Seosamh Naofa | 203 | −0% | Catholic | English | 6.1 km | |
| S.N. Iomair Naofa | 38 | +73% | Catholic | English | 6.4 km | |
| S.N. Creachmhaoil | 318 | −5% | Catholic | English | 6.5 km |
The other 210 primary schools in Co. Galway
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Oliver Plunketts N.S. | 199 | +3% | Catholic | English | 7.2 km | |
| S N na Fuar Coilleadh | 100 | +4% | Catholic | English | 8.6 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Eanna | 208 | +0% | Catholic | English | 9.1 km | |
| Ballymana N.S. | 108 | −25% | Catholic | English | 9.1 km | |
| Carnain N.S. | 89 | −18% | Catholic | English | 9.4 km | |
| Gaelscoil Riabhach | 170 | −16% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 10 km | |
| S.N. Cillinin | 195 | −15% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| S.N. Muine Mhea | 251 | +31% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 229 | −1% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| S.N. Ide Naofa | 328 | −5% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| St Brendans N.S. | 216 | −1% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Kilchreest Central Sch | 110 | +15% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Gurteen Central N.S. | 49 | −31% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Kilcolgan Educate Together NS | 195 | −11% | Multi-denominational | English | 13 km | |
| Scoil Bhride | 106 | +4% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 58 | −26% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Uinseann | 67 | −29% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 256 | −3% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 221 | −3% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Scoil Iarlatha Naofa | 53 | −21% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Crumlin N.S. | 95 | −23% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| S.N. Cillini Dioma | 147 | +71% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| S.N. Cearn Mor | 174 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 15 km | |
| S.N. Cronain | 59 | −6% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| S.N. Cill Richill | 69 | +23% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Scoil Íosa | 770 | – | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Gaelscoil de hIde | 399 | −12% | Catholic | All in Irish | 17 km | |
| S.N. Bhride | 229 | −8% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Annagh Hill NS | 105 | +4% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cuile | 109 | +7% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S.N. Ard Raithin | 176 | +56% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Naofa | 106 | +4% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Cappatagle Central Sch | 105 | −6% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Ballymacward Central Sc | 81 | −4% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Newtown NS | 172 | +5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Claregalway Educate Together NS | 220 | +20% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Ballinderreen Mxd N.S. | 182 | −9% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Mhuire | 233 | −4% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| S.N. Aindreis Naofa | 94 | −11% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| S N Chlair na Gaillimhe | 311 | −1% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Thomais | 55 | −21% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| S.N. Cill Conaill | 65 | +5% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 223 | −11% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Merlin Woods Primary School | 383 | −15% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| S.N. an Bhain Mhoir | 108 | −33% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Brierfield N School | 80 | −2% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Breandain Naofa | 87 | +123% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Ballinderry N.S. | 191 | −8% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| S.N. Cor an Droma | 73 | −16% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Castleblakeney N.S. | 52 | −4% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Gaelscoil Dara | 419 | −9% | Catholic | All in Irish | 22 km | |
| Radharc na Mara National School | 353 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| S.N. Cill Tartain | 117 | +4% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S.N. Caitriona Sois | 350 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| S.N. Caitriona Sinsear | 365 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| S.N. Brighdhe Naofa | 64 | −6% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S.N. Colmcille | 70 | −19% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| S.N. Cathair Geal | 124 | +43% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Barnaderg Central Sch | 77 | −23% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| St Colmans Mxd N.S. | 202 | −20% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Breandan Naofa | 32 | −53% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 22 | −35% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Scoil Bride | 20 | −13% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Iosef | 324 | −9% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S N na Cealltraighe | 93 | +27% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| S.N. an Droma | 15 | −61% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Tirellan Heights N.S. | 330 | −15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Caitriona Naofa | 117 | +26% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Cill Fheicin | 69 | +6% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Mhuire | 180 | +13% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Padraig | 146 | −4% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| The Glebe N.S. | 17 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil Bhrige agus Bhreandain Naofa | 281 | −4% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Scoil an Linbh Iosa | 236 | +15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Parochial N.S. | 75 | −13% | Church of Ireland | English | 25 km | |
| S.N. Padraic Naofa | 214 | +4% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Niochlas N.S. | 262 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Scoil Croi Iosa | 122 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| S.N. Iognaid | 480 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | 25 km | |
| S N Baile na Cille | 32 | +3% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Gaelscoil na bhFili | 41 | −5% | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 26 km | |
| S.N. Fhursa | 216 | −17% | Catholic | All in Irish | 26 km | |
| St Columba's National School | 44 | +52% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Ciarain Naofa | 67 | −32% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Gort National School | 197 | −2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S.N. Brighde | 130 | −24% | Catholic | All in Irish | 26 km | |
| Galway Educate Together NS | 373 | −11% | Multi-denominational | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Bride Naofa | 187 | −2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S.N. Lorcain Naofa | 45 | −15% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Róis | 297 | −20% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Treasa | 45 | +73% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Scoil Ide | 244 | −13% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| S.N. na Coille Glaise | 135 | +38% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Bushy Park N.S. | 366 | +0% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Einde | 119 | −7% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| S N Pairc na Slinne | 13 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| St Feichins N School | 32 | −26% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Naomh Colman Mac Duaigh | 109 | +10% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Kiltormer N.S. | 89 | +256% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh | 643 | +8% | Catholic | All in Irish | 28 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Iosef | 51 | −14% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Gaelscoil Iarfhlatha | 223 | +2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 28 km | |
| St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra NS | 400 | −7% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Tuam Educate Together National School | 195 | +55% | Multi-denominational | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. an Leath Bhaile | 69 | +5% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. N Breandain | 129 | −12% | Catholic | All in Irish | 28 km | |
| Iomair N.S. | 136 | +20% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Trinity Primary School | 781 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| S.N. Baile A Mhoinin | 11 | −56% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S N na hEaglaise | 37 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Aibhistin Naofa | 80 | +86% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S N an Croi Ro Naofa | 208 | −12% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Knocknacarra Educate Together NS | 207 | +30% | Multi-denominational | English | 30 km | |
| Cuan na Gaillimhe Community National School | 112 | +104% | Multi-denominational | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Iosef | 183 | −27% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 30 km | |
| S.N. Ui Cheithearnaigh | 193 | −10% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 30 km |
| S N Gort na Gaoithe | 64 | +36% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Bunscoil Naomh Chuana | 208 | +9% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Scoil an Chroi Naofa | 293 | +2% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Aine Naofa | 92 | −7% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| S.N. an Cillin | 42 | −42% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| S N Seamus Naofa | 221 | −17% | Catholic | All in Irish | 31 km | |
| SN Tuairini | 84 | −1% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Clonberne Central Sch | 107 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| St Oliver Plunkett National School | 114 | +1% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Ceathru na nGarrdhanta | 203 | −1% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| St. Josephs N.S. | 53 | −24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Lurga N.S. | 91 | +3% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Gortanumera N.S. | 50 | −4% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. an Tsaileain | 90 | +0% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 445 | +7% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 106 | −15% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| SN Ceathru na Laithigh | 54 | +2% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Cloughanower N.S. | 66 | −24% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Domhnach Padraig | 92 | −29% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| SN Tullach Ui Chadhain | 65 | −6% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 33 km | |
| S.N. Bheanain | 31 | +0% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 396 | −2% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 34 km | |
| Baile Mor Siol Anmcadha | 117 | +72% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S N na bhForbacha | 229 | +27% | Catholic | All in Irish | 35 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Padraig | 60 | −3% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Headford Primary School | 137 | – | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 53 | +51% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 18 | – | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal | 81 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| S N Caladh na Muc | 18 | −66% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| S.N. Baile Nua | 62 | −26% | Catholic | All in Irish | 36 km | |
| S.N. Baile an Leasa | 17 | −35% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| St Brendans N.S. | 235 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Breandan Naofa | 34 | +55% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| Glenamaddy N.S. | 142 | +17% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| St Brendan's N.S. | 45 | −20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. Naomh Fhursa | 100 | −26% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Nioclas Naofa | 221 | +2% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Kilconly N.S. | 90 | −30% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Baile an Mhuilinn | 99 | −3% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 12 | −66% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Ainbhthin Naofa | 261 | +15% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| S N Gort na Leime | 23 | −12% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Garrafrauns Central Sch | 95 | −7% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Creggs Central N.S. | 87 | +30% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 48 | +45% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil Bhreandain Naofa | 53 | +6% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| St Brendans N.S. | 39 | −11% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil Einne | 171 | −18% | Catholic | All in Irish | 41 km | |
| Glinsk N.S. | 74 | +14% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Croi Ronaofa Meascaithe | 110 | +36% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| S.N. Cill Cruain | 52 | −19% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Scoil Chuimín & Caitríona | 265 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| S.N. Sailearna | 212 | +6% | Catholic | All in Irish | 47 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Iosef | 94 | +2% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 16 | −41% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S.N. an Fhairche | 62 | +27% | Catholic | All in Irish | 54 km | |
| S.N. Choilm Chille | 83 | −20% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 54 km |
| S.N. Coilm Cille | 59 | +11% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 57 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 36 | −41% | Catholic | All in Irish | 58 km | |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 19 | −10% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 59 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 13 | −38% | Catholic | All in Irish | 59 km | |
| S.N. Caomhain | 33 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 60 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 81 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 61 km |
| S.N. Mhic Dara | 202 | −13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 61 km |
| S.N. Briocain | 19 | −49% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 63 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 31 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 63 km |
| S N Tir na Cille | 22 | −35% | Catholic | All in Irish | 64 km | |
| S.N. Inis Meadhoin | 13 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 64 km |
| Scoil Ronain | 15 | −50% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| S.N. Colmcille | 17 | −39% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| S N Tir an Fhiaidh | 83 | +5% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| S.N. Ronain | 36 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 68 km |
| S N Leitir Meallain | 25 | −22% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 70 km |
| S.N. Naomh Ciarain | 22 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 70 km |
| S.N. an Ard Mhoir | 20 | −9% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Eoin Pol II | 14 | −42% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 75 km |
| S.N. Mhuire | 58 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 76 km |
| S.N. M an Croi Gan Smal | 27 | – | Catholic | English | 76 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Treasa | 39 | +5% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 76 km |
| S.N. Naomh Colmain | 10 | −55% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 78 km |
| S.N. Ard | 13 | −61% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 79 km |
| S.N. Eanna | 25 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 83 km |
| S.N. Leitirgeis | 39 | +34% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 89 km |
| S.N. Muire | 85 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 89 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 241 | +7% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 92 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 28 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 92 km |
| Ballyconeely N.S. | 15 | −35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 94 km |
| S.N. Naomh Brid | 25 | −43% | Catholic | English | 95 km | |
| S.N. an Aill Bhreach | 25 | −38% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 97 km |
| S.N. Naomh Antoine | 2 | −92% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 97 km |
| S N na Naomh Uile | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 99 km |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 43 | +115% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 101 km |
| Inishbofin N.S. | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 108 km |
Living in Athenry
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the H65 Eircode area
Housing in Athenry →The median sale price rose from €335,000 in 2023 to €390,000 in 2025 (+16%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the H65 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Athenry
Cost of living in Athenry →New tenancies in Athenry averaged €1,404 a month in 2025, against €1,254 in 2024 (+12%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗














near Athenry, H65 HY10
Primary schools near Esker N.S.
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Esker N.S.
Is Esker N.S. a good school?
We don’t grade it: Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them. Its inspection reports on gov.ie, a visit and a talk with the principal will tell you more than any table could.
How many pupils does Esker N.S. have?
65 pupils in 2025/26. That is −37% since 2019/20.
Does Esker N.S. teach through Irish?
No: Esker N.S. teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Esker N.S.?
Esker N.S. has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Clonfert.
How do pupils get a place at Esker N.S.?
Apply to the school directly. It publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice with its dates; if more children apply than it has places, it admits on the criteria in its policy.
Which schools of the same kind are near Esker N.S.?
The nearest are Togala Mhuire (3 km), Athenry Primary School (5 km) and Gaelscoil Riada (5.1 km).
Sources: Department of Education, school lists 2025/26 (preliminary) and enrolments since 2015/16, CC BY 4.0 · inspection reports on gov.ie, linked by roll number. Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Facts from the Department of Education’s school lists. Listed with Athenry; nothing here rates the school.
Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).