














Scoil Cholmcille
Breaffy, Ballina, Co. Mayo · F26 RW32 · Roll number 15555G
Scoil Cholmcille is one of 9 primary schools in or within 3 km of Ballina. Every school in and around Ballina →
What stands out about Scoil Cholmcille
- 231 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (−5%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Killala; its ethos is Catholic.
- Outside Ballina’s outline, 2.7 km away; listed with Ballina, the nearest town in its county.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Scoil Cholmcille had 231 pupils in 2025/26, down from 236 in 2015/16 (−2%). Girls are 47% of them. Its largest roll was 252, in 2017/18. 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 Cholmcille
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 Cholmcille 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 Cholmcille
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 Cholmcille
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Scoil Cholmcille 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: Scoil Cholmcille is about the size it was in 2019/20 (−5%). All the schools around Ballina together changed by +10%.
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, 1 have more pupils than Scoil Cholmcille. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −5%; 3 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoil Cholmcille | 231 | −5% | Catholic | English | ||
| Beheymore N.S. | 228 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 3.5 km |
| Saint Michaels N.S. | 17 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 4 km | |
| St Joseph's NS | 217 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 4 km |
| Scoil Naomh Feichin | 26 | −43% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 4.2 km |
| Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol | 141 | +16% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 4.8 km |
| Scoil Íosa | 242 | +31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 5.1 km |
The other 144 primary schools in Co. Mayo
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quignamanger N.S. | 364 | +13% | Catholic | English | 5.4 km | |
| S.N. Muine Chonallain | 133 | +56% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 5.8 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 6.7 km |
| Cullens N.S. | 273 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7 km |
| Bunscoil Naomh Bríd agus Pádraíg | 46 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7.3 km |
| Cloghans N.S. | 9 | −68% | Catholic | English | 7.7 km | |
| Knockanillo N.S. | 28 | −24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 7.9 km |
| Garracloon N.S. | 25 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 8.5 km |
| Ardagh National School | 73 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 9.4 km | |
| Cooneal N.S. | 58 | −41% | Catholic | English | 11 km | |
| Foxford Central N.S. | 271 | +10% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Newtownwhite Educate Together NS | 59 | +7% | Multi-denominational | English | 12 km | |
| St Johns N.S. | 27 | −53% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 13 km |
| Crossmolina N.S. | 235 | +5% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Killasser N.S. | 31 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 15 km |
| S.N. Leath Ardan | 76 | +17% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Killala N.S. | 85 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 16 km |
| S.N. Peadar agus Pol | 45 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| Kilmurry NS | 65 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Cormaic Nfa | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Scoil na gCoillini | 97 | +11% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Rathbane N.S. | 57 | −2% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Mount Palmer National School | 37 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Swinford N.S. | 200 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Templemary N.S. | 47 | +21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Culmore N.S. | 33 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| S N an Teaghlaigh | 45 | −32% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Thola | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Crimlin N.S. | 15 | −35% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Lacken National School | 25 | −11% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 21 km |
| Ballyvary Central N.S. | 223 | +8% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Kinaffe N.S. | 48 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| S.N. an Trian Lair | 66 | −7% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Néifinn | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Sheamais | 18 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Athracht Nfa | 268 | +41% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Cloonlyon N.S. | 28 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| Cloondaff N.S. | 11 | −52% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Kiltimagh Central | 262 | +9% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 67 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| Breaffy N.S. | 377 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| Gaelscoil Raifteirí | 229 | −1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 28 km | |
| Castlebar Primary School | 864 | – | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Tamhnighan Fheadha | 15 | −32% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| Castlebar Educate Together National School | 113 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Fiondalbha | 37 | +28% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| St Peters N.S. | 271 | −10% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Treasa | 57 | +78% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 29 km |
| Craggagh N.S. | 19 | −49% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Carracastle Central N.S. | 88 | +35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| S.N. B Curnanool | 66 | +22% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Tavrane Central N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn | 202 | +7% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Beal Caradh | 109 | −16% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| St Josephs N.S. | 111 | +10% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S.N. Gort an Eadain | 28 | +27% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Brid C | 21 | −63% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| St Colmans N.S. | 34 | +31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| S.N. an Coill Mhor | 17 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| St Marys N.S. | 93 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| Knock N.S. | 152 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| St Paul's National School | 89 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| SN Beal Atha na hEin | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| S.N. Mainistir Muigheo | 84 | −3% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Newport Central | 243 | +13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| S.N. Faitche | 137 | +40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| S.N. Brighde | 103 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Kilmovee N.S. | 51 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Barnacarroll Central N.S. | 208 | +21% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Clogher N.S. | 50 | +85% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| S.N. Colm Naofa | 27 | −18% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Mount Pleasant N.S. | 87 | +1% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Ballintubber N.S. | 113 | +23% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Uileog de Burca | 105 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 39 km | |
| S.N. Coill an Bhaile | 41 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| Beacan Mixed N.S. | 177 | +18% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Claremorris National School | 314 | – | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| S.N. Cnoc Ruscaighe | 206 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| Burriscarra N.S. | 23 | – | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Myna N.S. | 102 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| Scoil Phadraig | 338 | +0% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| Holy Trinity National School | 41 | −33% | Church of Ireland | English | 42 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Cuaiche | 208 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 42 km | |
| Scoil Chroí Ró Naofa Beannchor Iorrais | 61 | +61% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 42 km |
| Westport Educate Together National School | 48 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 43 km | |
| Scoil Iosa | 385 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| S.N. Teach Caoin | 33 | −42% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Colm Cille | 206 | +10% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Meelickmore N.S. | 81 | +25% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Carraholly N.S. | 42 | −49% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| St Mary's National School | 51 | +19% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Robeen Central N.S. | 127 | +51% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| S.N. Lainn Cille | 66 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| Ballindine B N.S. | 138 | +20% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Lehinch N.S. | 8 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 47 km |
| Brackloon N.S. | 145 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 47 km |
| S.N. Ceathru an Chlochar | 35 | +6% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| S.N. Druim Slaod | 8 | −60% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 48 km |
| Drumgallagh N.S. | 33 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 48 km |
| Muirisc N.S. | 49 | +104% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| S N Realt na Mara | 77 | +51% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Irishtown N.S. | 70 | +15% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| S.N. Pol A Tsomais | 27 | +13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 49 km |
| Scoil Chomain Naofa | 82 | −12% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh | 94 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 50 km | |
| S.N. Ros Dumhach | 27 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 50 km |
| S.N. Gort Sceiche | 75 | −6% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Barnatra N.S. | 24 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 51 km |
| S N Toin na Gaoithe | 61 | +7% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 51 km |
| Lecanvey N.S. | 31 | +0% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| St. Josephs N.S. | 451 | −1% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Carrakennedy N.S. | 32 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Geesala Central School | 29 | −31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 52 km |
| SN Cholmcille, Ceathrú Thaidhg | 26 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 53 km |
| S.N. Inbhear | 67 | +20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 53 km |
| S.N. Chluain Luifin | 75 | +17% | Catholic | English | 54 km | |
| S.N. Gleann A Chaisil | 64 | +10% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 54 km |
| S N Dhumha Thuama | 26 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 54 km |
| S.N. an Tsraith | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| S.N. Coill Mor | 6 | – | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| St Patricks Central N.S. | 117 | +4% | Catholic | English | 56 km | |
| Achill Sound Convent N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 57 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig Saile | 65 | +38% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 57 km |
| SN na hAille | 140 | +9% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Valley N.S. | 17 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| S.N. Achaidh an Ghlaisin | 48 | +0% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 58 km |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 133 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| SN Baile Cuisin | 13 | −35% | Catholic | English | 59 km | |
| Gortjordan N.S. | 11 | −48% | Catholic | English | 60 km | |
| S.N. Croi Muire | 127 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 60 km |
| S.N. Beal an Mhuirthead | 58 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 60 km |
| S.N. Naomh Feichin | 47 | −33% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| Cill Mhor Iorrais | 20 | −57% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 62 km |
| S.N. Naomh Sheosamh | 99 | −13% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| Dookinella N.S. | 26 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 63 km |
| Corclough N.S. | 79 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 64 km |
| Glencorrib N.S. | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | 64 km | |
| S.N. Teaghlaigh Naofa | 67 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 65 km |
| S.N. Eachleime | 64 | +45% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| SN Naomh Proinnsias | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | 67 km | |
| S.N. Dumhach | 28 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| St Columbas N.S. | 3 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 78 km |
Living in Ballina
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the F26 Eircode area
Housing in Ballina →The median sale price rose from €184,800 in 2023 to €200,000 in 2025 (+8%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the F26 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Ballina
Cost of living in Ballina →New tenancies in Ballina averaged €1,019 a month in 2025, against €901 in 2024 (+13%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗














near Ballina, F26 RW32
Primary schools near Scoil Cholmcille
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Scoil Cholmcille
Is Scoil Cholmcille 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 Cholmcille have?
231 pupils in 2025/26. That is −5% since 2019/20.
Does Scoil Cholmcille teach through Irish?
No: Scoil Cholmcille teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Scoil Cholmcille?
Scoil Cholmcille has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Killala.
How do pupils get a place at Scoil Cholmcille?
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 Cholmcille?
The nearest are Beheymore N.S. (3.5 km), Saint Michaels N.S. (4 km) and St Joseph's NS (4 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 Ballina; 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).