Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
Station Road, Balla, Co. Mayo · F23 W272 · Roll number 17119T
Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn is the only one of the primary schools in or within 3 km of Balla. Every school in and around Balla →
What stands out about Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
- 202 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (+7%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Archbishop of Tuam; its ethos is Catholic.
- The only primary school in Balla or within 3 km of it.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn had 202 pupils in 2025/26, against 166 in 2015/16 (+22%). Girls are 49% of them. Its largest roll was 205, in 2022/23. Its roll rose in 4 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
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 Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn 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 Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
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 Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn 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.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn has grown by 7% since 2019/20. All the schools around Balla together changed by +30%.
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.
Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn has more pupils than any of the 6 nearest primary schools. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +7%; 2 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn | 202 | +7% | Catholic | English | ||
| Craggagh N.S. | 19 | −49% | Catholic | English | 4 km | |
| S.N. Mainistir Muigheo | 84 | −3% | Catholic | English | 4.2 km | |
| S.N. Gort an Eadain | 28 | +27% | Catholic | English | 4.8 km | |
| S.N. Fiondalbha | 37 | +28% | Catholic | English | 5.2 km | |
| S.N. Beal Caradh | 109 | −16% | Catholic | English | 5.9 km | |
| Mount Pleasant N.S. | 87 | +1% | Catholic | English | 6.7 km |
The other 144 primary schools in Co. Mayo
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clogher N.S. | 50 | +85% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7.7 km |
| S.N. Naomh Brid C | 21 | −63% | Catholic | English | 8.8 km | |
| Breaffy N.S. | 377 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 9 km |
| Burriscarra N.S. | 23 | – | Catholic | English | 9.8 km | |
| Ballyvary Central N.S. | 223 | +8% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Kiltimagh Central | 262 | +9% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Barnacarroll Central N.S. | 208 | +21% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Claremorris National School | 314 | – | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| S.N. Teach Caoin | 33 | −42% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Thola | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| SN Beal Atha na hEin | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Ballintubber N.S. | 113 | +23% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Gaelscoil Raifteirí | 229 | −1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 12 km | |
| S N an Teaghlaigh | 45 | −32% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Castlebar Educate Together National School | 113 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 13 km | |
| Castlebar Primary School | 864 | – | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Robeen Central N.S. | 127 | +51% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Knock N.S. | 152 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| St Josephs N.S. | 111 | +10% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| S.N. Uileog de Burca | 105 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 14 km | |
| S.N. Peadar agus Pol | 45 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| Kinaffe N.S. | 48 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| St Peters N.S. | 271 | −10% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| St Mary's National School | 51 | +19% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Crimlin N.S. | 15 | −35% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Lehinch N.S. | 8 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 16 km |
| S.N. Coill an Bhaile | 41 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 16 km |
| S.N. B Curnanool | 66 | +22% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Meelickmore N.S. | 81 | +25% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Scoil na gCoillini | 97 | +11% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| S.N. Ceathru an Chlochar | 35 | +6% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| St Paul's National School | 89 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| S.N. an Trian Lair | 66 | −7% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Chomain Naofa | 82 | −12% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Ballindine B N.S. | 138 | +20% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Beacan Mixed N.S. | 177 | +18% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Swinford N.S. | 200 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| S.N. Gort Sceiche | 75 | −6% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Treasa | 57 | +78% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| Foxford Central N.S. | 271 | +10% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| St. Josephs N.S. | 451 | −1% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| St Marys N.S. | 93 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 21 km |
| S.N. Cnoc Ruscaighe | 206 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 21 km |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh | 94 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 21 km | |
| S.N. Sheamais | 18 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| S.N. Colm Naofa | 27 | −18% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Irishtown N.S. | 70 | +15% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| S.N. Chluain Luifin | 75 | +17% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Culmore N.S. | 33 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| Killasser N.S. | 31 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| St Patricks Central N.S. | 117 | +4% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Cloonlyon N.S. | 28 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| Rathbane N.S. | 57 | −2% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 103 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Faitche | 137 | +40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 27 | −53% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| Scoil Iosa | 385 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Tavrane Central N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Bunscoil Naomh Bríd agus Pádraíg | 46 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| S.N. Lainn Cille | 66 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Cloondaff N.S. | 11 | −52% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Holy Trinity National School | 41 | −33% | Church of Ireland | English | 26 km | |
| Scoil Phadraig | 338 | +0% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| SN na hAille | 140 | +9% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. an Coill Mhor | 17 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Gaelscoil na Cuaiche | 208 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 26 km | |
| S.N. Tamhnighan Fheadha | 15 | −32% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Westport Educate Together National School | 48 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 27 km | |
| SN Baile Cuisin | 13 | −35% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| S.N. Naomh Colm Cille | 206 | +10% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Gortjordan N.S. | 11 | −48% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Feichin | 26 | −43% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| S.N. Athracht Nfa | 268 | +41% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Leath Ardan | 76 | +17% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Newport Central | 243 | +13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Brackloon N.S. | 145 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Cloghans N.S. | 9 | −68% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Feichin | 47 | −33% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Myna N.S. | 102 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| Carraholly N.S. | 42 | −49% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| Carrakennedy N.S. | 32 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Naomh Sheosamh | 99 | −13% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 231 | −5% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| St Joseph's NS | 217 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Glencorrib N.S. | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Kilmovee N.S. | 51 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Carracastle Central N.S. | 88 | +35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Garracloon N.S. | 25 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Muirisc N.S. | 49 | +104% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Coill Mor | 6 | – | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Saint Michaels N.S. | 17 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 34 km | |
| Kilmurry NS | 65 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Muine Chonallain | 133 | +56% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| Scoil Néifinn | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| SN Naomh Proinnsias | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol | 141 | +16% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| Scoil Íosa | 242 | +31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| Beheymore N.S. | 228 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| Crossmolina N.S. | 235 | +5% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Lecanvey N.S. | 31 | +0% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Ardagh National School | 73 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 37 km | |
| Quignamanger N.S. | 364 | +13% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Knockanillo N.S. | 28 | −24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| St Colmans N.S. | 34 | +31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Cullens N.S. | 273 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Cooneal N.S. | 58 | −41% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Cormaic Nfa | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| Newtownwhite Educate Together NS | 59 | +7% | Multi-denominational | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 133 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| S N Realt na Mara | 77 | +51% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| Mount Palmer National School | 37 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 47 km |
| Killala N.S. | 85 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 47 km |
| Templemary N.S. | 47 | +21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Drumgallagh N.S. | 33 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| S.N. Teaghlaigh Naofa | 67 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| S N Toin na Gaoithe | 61 | +7% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 50 km |
| Lacken National School | 25 | −11% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 52 km |
| S.N. Druim Slaod | 8 | −60% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Achill Sound Convent N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| Scoil Chroí Ró Naofa Beannchor Iorrais | 61 | +61% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 67 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig Saile | 65 | +38% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 56 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Valley N.S. | 17 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 60 km |
| S N Dhumha Thuama | 26 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 61 km |
| Geesala Central School | 29 | −31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 62 km |
| Dookinella N.S. | 26 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 63 km |
| St Columbas N.S. | 3 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 65 km |
| S.N. an Tsraith | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| Barnatra N.S. | 24 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| S.N. Gleann A Chaisil | 64 | +10% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 67 km |
| S.N. Dumhach | 28 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| S.N. Pol A Tsomais | 27 | +13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 68 km |
| S.N. Ros Dumhach | 27 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 69 km |
| S.N. Inbhear | 67 | +20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 70 km |
| SN Cholmcille, Ceathrú Thaidhg | 26 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Eachleime | 64 | +45% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Achaidh an Ghlaisin | 48 | +0% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Croi Muire | 127 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 74 km |
| S.N. Beal an Mhuirthead | 58 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 74 km |
| Cill Mhor Iorrais | 20 | −57% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 75 km |
| Corclough N.S. | 79 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 78 km |
Living in Balla
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the F23 Eircode area
Housing in Balla →The median sale price rose from €210,000 in 2023 to €280,000 in 2025 (+33%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the F23 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Co. Mayo
Cost of living in Balla →New tenancies in Co. Mayo averaged €1,117 a month in 2025, against €1,002 in 2024 (+12%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Balla, F23 W272
Primary schools near Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn
Is Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn 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 Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn have?
202 pupils in 2025/26. That is +7% since 2019/20.
Does Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn teach through Irish?
No: Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn?
Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Tuam.
How do pupils get a place at Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn?
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 Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn?
The nearest are Craggagh N.S. (4 km), S.N. Mainistir Muigheo (4.2 km) and S.N. Gort an Eadain (4.8 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 Balla; 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).