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Merlin Woods Primary School

PrimaryCatholicSpecial classes

Doughiska Road, Doughiska, Galway · H91 D7VH · Roll number 20350P

Merlin Woods Primary School is one of 11 primary schools in or within 3 km of Ballybane. Every school in and around Ballybane →

Directions
Pupils
383
September, 2025/26
185 girls, 198 boys
Since 2019/20
−15%
from 451 pupils
Ireland: +5%
Ethos
Catholic
Patron: Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora
Language
English
outside the Gaeltacht
Results
Not published
none school by school (Education Act 1998, s.53)
The gist

What stands out about Merlin Woods Primary School

  • One of the larger primary schools: 383 pupils, against a typical 131.
  • Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
  • Smaller than it was: 383 pupils, 15% fewer than the 451 of 2019/20.
  • Has special classes for children who need more support.
  • Its patron is the Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora; its ethos is Catholic.

Pupils over time

2015/16 to 2025/26

Merlin Woods Primary School had 383 pupils in 2025/26, against 308 in 2015/16 (+24%). Girls are 48% of them. Its largest roll was 451, in 2019/20. Its roll rose in 5 of the 10 years.

02004006002015/162018/192021/222025/26PupilsGirls

Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.

No letter

No letter for Merlin Woods Primary School

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 Merlin Woods Primary School 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.

Inspections

Inspection reports on Merlin Woods Primary School

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 in

Getting a place at Merlin Woods Primary School

Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.

Families apply to Merlin Woods Primary School 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.

Places in special classes and special schools are allocated with the National Council for Special Education.

Pupils
383
September, 2025/26
Since 2019/20
−15%
from 451 pupils

No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Merlin Woods Primary School has shrunk by 15% since 2019/20. All the schools around Ballybane together changed by +2%.

Pupils since 2019/20

Merlin Woods Primary School−15%
The primary schools around Ballybane−9%
All Irish primary schools−5%

Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).

Side by side with the nearest primary schools

2025/26

The 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, 1 have more pupils than Merlin Woods Primary School. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −15%; 4 of the 5 grew faster.

Merlin Woods Primary School383
Scoil Mhuire223
Radharc na Mara353
Gaelscoil Dara419
S.N. Caitriona Sois350
S.N. Caitriona Sinsear365
S.N. Colmcille70
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
Merlin Woods Primary School383−15%CatholicEnglish
Scoil Mhuire223−11%CatholicEnglish1.3 km
Radharc na Mara National School353–CatholicEnglish✓2 km
Gaelscoil Dara419−9%CatholicAll in Irish2 km
S.N. Caitriona Sois350−11%CatholicEnglish✓2.4 km
S.N. Caitriona Sinsear365−3%CatholicEnglish✓2.4 km
S.N. Colmcille70−19%CatholicEnglish✓3.1 km
The other 210 primary schools in Co. Galway
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
Gaelscoil de hIde399−12%CatholicAll in Irish3.8 km
Scoil Íosa770–CatholicEnglish3.9 km
Tirellan Heights N.S.330−15%CatholicEnglish✓4.1 km
Scoil an Linbh Iosa236+15%CatholicEnglish✓4.7 km
Parochial N.S.75−13%Church of IrelandEnglish4.7 km
S.N. Padraic Naofa214+4%CatholicEnglish4.9 km
Niochlas N.S.262−9%CatholicEnglish✓5.2 km
Scoil Croi Iosa122−5%CatholicEnglish✓5.3 km
S.N. Iognaid480−11%CatholicAll in Irish5.4 km
S.N. Fhursa216−17%CatholicAll in Irish5.7 km
Galway Educate Together NS373−11%Multi-denominationalEnglish5.8 km
S.N. Bride Naofa187−2%CatholicEnglish✓5.9 km
S.N. Brighde130−24%CatholicAll in Irish6 km
Scoil Naomh Mhuire233−4%CatholicEnglish6.1 km
Scoil Náisiúnta Róis297−20%CatholicEnglish6.3 km
Bushy Park N.S.366+0%CatholicEnglish6.7 km
S.N. Cearn Mor174+1%CatholicAll in Irish6.7 km
Claregalway Educate Together NS220+20%Multi-denominationalEnglish✓6.7 km
S N Chlair na Gaillimhe311−1%CatholicEnglish6.7 km
Scoil Ide244−13%CatholicEnglish6.9 km
Scoil Naomh Einde119−7%CatholicEnglish6.9 km
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh643+8%CatholicAll in Irish7.5 km
St. John the Apostle, Knocknacarra NS400−7%CatholicEnglish8.2 km
S.N. Mhuire229−1%CatholicEnglish9.3 km
Scoil Mhuire256−3%CatholicEnglish9.4 km
S.N. Naomh Padraig221−3%CatholicEnglish9.5 km
Knocknacarra Educate Together NS207+30%Multi-denominationalEnglish9.6 km
Cuan na Gaillimhe Community National School112+104%Multi-denominationalEnglish9.6 km
Scoil Naomh Iosef183−27%CatholicSome subjects in Irish9.7 km
Kilcolgan Educate Together NS195−11%Multi-denominationalEnglish10 km
S.N. an Bhain Mhoir108−33%CatholicEnglish11 km
S N Seamus Naofa221−17%CatholicAll in Irish11 km
S.N. Bhride229−8%CatholicEnglish11 km
SN Tuairini84−1%CatholicEnglish12 km
Ballinderreen Mxd N.S.182−9%CatholicEnglish12 km
S N na Fuar Coilleadh100+4%CatholicEnglish12 km
Scoil Bhrige agus Bhreandain Naofa281−4%CatholicEnglish13 km
S.N. N Breandain129−12%CatholicAll in Irish13 km
S.N. Ciarain Naofa67−32%CatholicEnglish13 km
S.N. Cillinin195−15%CatholicEnglish14 km
S.N. Naomh Uinseann67−29%CatholicEnglish14 km
Carnain N.S.89−18%CatholicEnglish14 km
Scoil Mhuire396−2%CatholicSome subjects in Irish14 km
S.N. Cor an Droma73−16%CatholicEnglish15 km
S.N. Cronain59−6%CatholicEnglish15 km
S N na bhForbacha229+27%CatholicAll in Irish15 km
SN Tullach Ui Chadhain65−6%CatholicSome subjects in Irish16 km
Gaelscoil Riada158−42%CatholicAll in Irish16 km
Athenry Primary School501–CatholicEnglish16 km
S.N. Naomh Iosef324−9%CatholicEnglish16 km
S.N. Creachmhaoil318−5%CatholicEnglish16 km
S.N. Baile Nua62−26%CatholicAll in Irish17 km
Annagh Hill NS105+4%CatholicEnglish18 km
Crumlin N.S.95−23%CatholicEnglish18 km
S.N. Brighdhe Naofa64−6%CatholicEnglish18 km
Bunscoil Naomh Chuana208+9%CatholicEnglish18 km
Scoil Naomh Iosef51−14%CatholicEnglish19 km
S N Caladh na Muc18−66%CatholicEnglish✓19 km
Cloughanower N.S.66−24%CatholicEnglish20 km
S.N. Mhuire58−26%CatholicEnglish20 km
S.N. Ard Raithin176+56%CatholicEnglish20 km
St Colmans Mxd N.S.202−20%CatholicEnglish20 km
Esker N.S.65−37%CatholicEnglish20 km
Ballymana N.S.108−25%CatholicEnglish20 km
S.N. Padraig Naofa18–CatholicEnglish21 km
St Oliver Plunketts N.S.199+3%CatholicEnglish21 km
S.N. Muine Mhea251+31%CatholicEnglish21 km
Ainbhthin Naofa261+15%CatholicEnglish21 km
Ballinderry N.S.191−8%CatholicEnglish21 km
Scoil Einne171−18%CatholicAll in Irish22 km
Headford Primary School137–CatholicEnglish22 km
S.N. Naomh Fhursa100−26%CatholicEnglish23 km
Togala Mhuire198+32%CatholicEnglish23 km
S.N. Cill Tartain117+4%CatholicEnglish24 km
S N an Croi Ro Naofa208−12%CatholicEnglish24 km
S.N. Seosamh Naofa203−0%CatholicEnglish24 km
Scoil Naomh Padraig60−3%CatholicEnglish24 km
S.N. Domhnach Padraig92−29%CatholicEnglish24 km
Newtown NS172+5%CatholicEnglish✓24 km
Kilchreest Central Sch110+15%CatholicEnglish24 km
S.N. Naomh Thomais55−21%CatholicEnglish24 km
S.N. Cathair Geal124+43%CatholicEnglish25 km
Naomh Colman Mac Duaigh109+10%CatholicEnglish25 km
Gaelscoil Iarfhlatha223+2%CatholicAll in Irish26 km
S.N. Iomair Naofa38+73%CatholicEnglish26 km
Gort National School197−2%CatholicEnglish✓27 km
S.N. Sailearna212+6%CatholicAll in Irish27 km
Scoil Iarlatha Naofa53−21%CatholicEnglish27 km
Gaelscoil na bhFili41−5%Multi-denominationalAll in Irish27 km
S.N. an Tsaileain90+0%CatholicEnglish27 km
Tuam Educate Together National School195+55%Multi-denominationalEnglish27 km
Trinity Primary School781−3%CatholicEnglish✓27 km
S.N. Cill Fheicin69+6%CatholicEnglish27 km
Gaelscoil Riabhach170−16%Multi-denominationalAll in Irish28 km
Scoil Chuimín & Caitríona265+11%CatholicEnglish✓28 km
Barnaderg Central Sch77−23%CatholicEnglish28 km
Scoil Naomh Eanna208+0%CatholicEnglish29 km
Gurteen Central N.S.49−31%CatholicEnglish29 km
Brierfield N School80−2%CatholicEnglish29 km
S.N. Ide Naofa328−5%CatholicEnglish29 km
St Brendans N.S.216−1%CatholicEnglish30 km
St Columba's National School44+52%CatholicEnglish30 km
S.N. Bheanain31+0%CatholicEnglish30 km
Ceathru na nGarrdhanta203−1%CatholicEnglish31 km
S.N. Cillini Dioma147+71%CatholicEnglish31 km
Lurga N.S.91+3%CatholicEnglish31 km
Scoil Mhuire Naofa106+4%CatholicEnglish32 km
Kilconly N.S.90−30%CatholicEnglish32 km
S.N. Aine Naofa92−7%CatholicEnglish32 km
Scoil Bride20−13%CatholicEnglish32 km
S.N. an Leath Bhaile69+5%CatholicEnglish33 km
Scoil Bhride106+4%CatholicEnglish33 km
Scoil Mhuire16−41%CatholicEnglish33 km
SN Ceathru na Laithigh54+2%CatholicEnglish34 km
S.N. Choilm Chille83−20%CatholicAll in Irish✓34 km
S.N. Naomh Iosef94+2%CatholicEnglish35 km
Ballymacward Central Sc81−4%CatholicEnglish35 km
S.N. Cill Richill69+23%CatholicEnglish36 km
S.N. Aindreis Naofa94−11%CatholicEnglish36 km
Scoil Naomh Padraig146−4%CatholicEnglish36 km
St Brendans N.S.39−11%CatholicEnglish36 km
S.N. Baile an Mhuilinn99−3%CatholicEnglish36 km
S.N. Cill Cuile109+7%CatholicEnglish36 km
S.N. Coilm Cille59+11%CatholicAll in Irish✓37 km
Castleblakeney N.S.52−4%CatholicEnglish38 km
Cappatagle Central Sch105−6%CatholicEnglish38 km
Clonberne Central Sch107−12%CatholicEnglish✓38 km
Scoil Naomh Mhuire180+13%CatholicEnglish39 km
S.N. an Fhairche62+27%CatholicAll in Irish39 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal19−10%CatholicAll in Irish✓39 km
S.N. Cill Conaill65+5%CatholicEnglish39 km
S.N. an Droma15−61%CatholicEnglish39 km
S N na Cealltraighe93+27%CatholicEnglish✓39 km
Garrafrauns Central Sch95−7%CatholicEnglish40 km
Scoil Mhuire36−41%CatholicAll in Irish40 km
S.N. Baile an Leasa17−35%CatholicEnglish41 km
S.N. Breandain Naofa87+123%CatholicEnglish41 km
S.N. Breandan Naofa32−53%CatholicEnglish41 km
Scoil Mhuire81–CatholicAll in Irish✓41 km
S.N. Mhic Dara202−13%CatholicAll in Irish✓41 km
Nioclas Naofa221+2%CatholicEnglish41 km
St Oliver Plunkett National School114+1%CatholicEnglish41 km
S N Baile na Cille32+3%CatholicEnglish41 km
S.N. Padraig Naofa22−35%CatholicEnglish41 km
S N Pairc na Slinne13–CatholicEnglish✓42 km
S.N. Mhuire31+3%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
S N Gort na Gaoithe64+36%CatholicEnglish43 km
S.N. Caomhain33+3%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
S.N. Briocain19−49%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
S.N. Naomh Padraig13−38%CatholicAll in Irish43 km
S.N. Lorcain Naofa45−15%CatholicEnglish44 km
St Feichins N School32−26%CatholicEnglish44 km
S N Gort na Leime23−12%CatholicEnglish44 km
S.N. Caitriona Naofa117+26%CatholicEnglish44 km
The Glebe N.S.17–Church of IrelandEnglish45 km
S.N. na Coille Glaise135+38%CatholicEnglish✓45 km
Scoil Ronain15−50%CatholicAll in Irish✓45 km
S.N. Colmcille17−39%CatholicAll in Irish✓45 km
S.N. Padraig Naofa12−66%CatholicEnglish45 km
S.N. Baile A Mhoinin11−56%CatholicEnglish45 km
S N Tir an Fhiaidh83+5%CatholicAll in Irish✓45 km
Glenamaddy N.S.142+17%CatholicEnglish45 km
S.N. Naomh Treasa45+73%CatholicEnglish46 km
S.N. Inis Meadhoin13–CatholicAll in Irish✓46 km
S N Tir na Cille22−35%CatholicAll in Irish46 km
S.N. Padraig Naofa106−15%CatholicEnglish47 km
St. Josephs N.S.53−24%CatholicEnglish✓47 km
Kiltormer N.S.89+256%CatholicEnglish47 km
Iomair N.S.136+20%CatholicEnglish48 km
S N na hEaglaise37−3%CatholicEnglish✓48 km
S.N. an Cillin42−42%CatholicEnglish49 km
Scoil Mhuire48+45%CatholicEnglish49 km
S.N. Ronain36−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓49 km
Aibhistin Naofa80+86%CatholicEnglish49 km
S.N. Ui Cheithearnaigh193−10%CatholicAll in Irish✓50 km
S N Leitir Meallain25−22%CatholicAll in Irish✓50 km
S.N. Naomh Ciarain22−15%CatholicAll in Irish✓50 km
Gortanumera N.S.50−4%CatholicEnglish50 km
Scoil an Chroi Naofa293+2%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal81−5%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
Croi Ronaofa Meascaithe110+36%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
S.N. Breandan Naofa34+55%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal445+7%CatholicEnglish52 km
S.N. an Ard Mhoir20−9%CatholicAll in Irish✓53 km
S.N. Cill Cruain52−19%CatholicEnglish54 km
Creggs Central N.S.87+30%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Baile Mor Siol Anmcadha117+72%CatholicEnglish54 km
Glinsk N.S.74+14%CatholicEnglish55 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal53+51%CatholicEnglish55 km
St Brendans N.S.235+4%CatholicEnglish✓55 km
S.N. Eoin Pol II14−42%CatholicAll in Irish✓55 km
S.N. Mhuire58+23%CatholicAll in Irish✓55 km
S.N. Naomh Treasa39+5%CatholicSome subjects in Irish✓57 km
S.N. Naomh Colmain10−55%CatholicAll in Irish✓57 km
St Brendan's N.S.45−20%CatholicEnglish✓58 km
S.N. M an Croi Gan Smal27–CatholicEnglish59 km
S.N. Ard13−61%CatholicAll in Irish✓59 km
Scoil Bhreandain Naofa53+6%CatholicEnglish61 km
S.N. Eanna25+9%CatholicEnglish✓63 km
S.N. Muire85+1%CatholicEnglish✓71 km
S.N. Leitirgeis39+34%CatholicEnglish✓71 km
Scoil Mhuire241+7%CatholicEnglish✓72 km
S.N. Naomh Padraig28+8%CatholicEnglish✓74 km
Ballyconeely N.S.15−35%CatholicEnglish✓74 km
S.N. Naomh Brid25−43%CatholicEnglish77 km
S.N. an Aill Bhreach25−38%CatholicEnglish✓77 km
S.N. Naomh Antoine2−92%CatholicEnglish✓78 km
S N na Naomh Uile15–CatholicEnglish✓80 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal43+115%CatholicEnglish✓82 km
Inishbofin N.S.15–CatholicEnglish✓90 km
Living nearby

Living in Ballybane

The town’s figures, not this street’s.

Median sale price
€259,000
92 sales, 2023–25, Property Price Register
Average rent
€1,584
a month, new tenancies in 2025

Homes in the H91 Eircode area

Housing in Ballybane →

The median sale price rose from €338,600 in 2023 to €408,300 in 2025 (+21%).

2023€338,600
2024€375,000
2025€408,300

New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025

New homes€442,800
Second-hand homes€350,200

Property Price Register sales in the H91 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.

Renting in Ballybane

Cost of living in Ballybane →

New tenancies in Ballybane averaged €1,584 a month in 2025, against €1,490 in 2024 (+6%).

2024€1,490
2025€1,584

Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.

Location

Directions ↗

Ballybane, H91 D7VH

Nearby

Primary schools near Merlin Woods Primary School

Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.

Scoil Mhuire
Primary · Catholic
Special classes
223 pupils−11% since 2019/201.3 km
Radharc na Mara National School
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
353 pupils2 km
Gaelscoil Dara
Primary · Catholic
Gaelscoil
419 pupils−9% since 2019/202 km
S.N. Caitriona Sois
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
350 pupils−11% since 2019/202.4 km
S.N. Caitriona Sinsear
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
365 pupils−3% since 2019/202.4 km
S.N. Colmcille
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
70 pupils−19% since 2019/203.1 km
Official recordInspection reports (gov.ie) ↗Department of Education school lists ↗Roll number 20350P

Questions about Merlin Woods Primary School

Is Merlin Woods Primary School 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 Merlin Woods Primary School have?

383 pupils in 2025/26. That is −15% since 2019/20.

Does Merlin Woods Primary School teach through Irish?

No: Merlin Woods Primary School teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.

Who runs Merlin Woods Primary School?

Merlin Woods Primary School has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora.

How do pupils get a place at Merlin Woods Primary School?

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 Merlin Woods Primary School?

The nearest are Scoil Mhuire (1.3 km), Radharc na Mara National School (2 km) and Gaelscoil Dara (2 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 Ballybane; 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).