Valley N.S.
Valley, Achill, Co. Mayo · F28 HY27 · Roll number 16379R
Valley N.S. is the only one of the primary schools in or within 3 km of Dumha Thuama. Every school in and around Dumha Thuama →
What stands out about Valley N.S.
- A small primary school: 17 pupils, against a typical 131.
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Smaller than it was: 17 pupils, 26% fewer than the 23 of 2019/20.
- In DEIS. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) gives schools serving disadvantaged areas more teachers, money and support; the Department decides which schools are in it.
- 5 girls and 12 boys: more of one than the other.
- Its patron is the Archbishop of Tuam; its ethos is Catholic.
- Outside Dumha Thuama’s outline, 6.9 km away; listed with Dumha Thuama, the nearest town in its county.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Valley N.S. had 17 pupils in 2025/26, against 16 in 2015/16 (+6%). Girls are 29% of them. Its largest roll was 23, in 2019/20. Its roll rose in 5 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Valley 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 Valley 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 Valley 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 Valley N.S.
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Valley 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.
It is in DEIS, so it has extra support for pupils from disadvantaged areas.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Valley N.S. has shrunk by 26% since 2019/20.
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 Valley N.S.. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −26%; 3 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley N.S. | 17 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | |
| Dookinella N.S. | 26 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 5.8 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig Saile | 65 | +38% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 6.8 km |
| S N Dhumha Thuama | 26 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 8.1 km |
| Achill Sound Convent N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 9.3 km |
| S.N. Dumhach | 28 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 9.9 km |
| S.N. Druim Slaod | 8 | −60% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 10 km |
The other 144 primary schools in Co. Mayo
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S N Toin na Gaoithe | 61 | +7% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 10 km |
| Drumgallagh N.S. | 33 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 11 km |
| Geesala Central School | 29 | −31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 13 km |
| S.N. Eachleime | 64 | +45% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 15 km |
| S N Realt na Mara | 77 | +51% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| S.N. an Tsraith | 15 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. Gleann A Chaisil | 64 | +10% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 21 km |
| Scoil Chroí Ró Naofa Beannchor Iorrais | 61 | +61% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| Cill Mhor Iorrais | 20 | −57% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Croi Muire | 127 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| S.N. Beal an Mhuirthead | 58 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 24 km |
| Barnatra N.S. | 24 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 25 km |
| S.N. Achaidh an Ghlaisin | 48 | +0% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 27 km |
| Corclough N.S. | 79 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 28 km |
| S.N. Inbhear | 67 | +20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| S.N. Padraig Naofa | 133 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 30 km |
| S.N. Pol A Tsomais | 27 | +13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 31 km |
| Newport Central | 243 | +13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Lecanvey N.S. | 31 | +0% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Myna N.S. | 102 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| S.N. Ros Dumhach | 27 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 33 km |
| S.N. Teaghlaigh Naofa | 67 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Carraholly N.S. | 42 | −49% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Scoil Néifinn | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| Muirisc N.S. | 49 | +104% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| S.N. an Coill Mhor | 17 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| St Columbas N.S. | 3 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| SN Cholmcille, Ceathrú Thaidhg | 26 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| Cloondaff N.S. | 11 | −52% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| S.N. Faitche | 137 | +40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| S.N. Naomh Colm Cille | 206 | +10% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Gaelscoil na Cuaiche | 208 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 37 km | |
| Westport Educate Together National School | 48 | – | Multi-denominational | English | 37 km | |
| Scoil Phadraig | 338 | +0% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Holy Trinity National School | 41 | −33% | Church of Ireland | English | 38 km | |
| Brackloon N.S. | 145 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 39 km |
| S.N. Colm Naofa | 27 | −18% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Kilmurry NS | 65 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| S.N. Lainn Cille | 66 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| Rathbane N.S. | 57 | −2% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Coill Mor | 6 | – | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| S.N. Cnoc Ruscaighe | 206 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| S.N. Leath Ardan | 76 | +17% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Carrakennedy N.S. | 32 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| St Paul's National School | 89 | +16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| S.N. B Curnanool | 66 | +22% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Crossmolina N.S. | 235 | +5% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Cormaic Nfa | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| St Peters N.S. | 271 | −10% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| St Josephs N.S. | 111 | +10% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Castlebar Primary School | 864 | – | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Castlebar Educate Together National School | 113 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 47 km | |
| Gaelscoil Raifteirí | 229 | −1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 48 km | |
| Crimlin N.S. | 15 | −35% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| S.N. Coill an Bhaile | 41 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Mount Palmer National School | 37 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| Garracloon N.S. | 25 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 49 km |
| SN Beal Atha na hEin | 95 | +12% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 67 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| Cloghans N.S. | 9 | −68% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Ardagh National School | 73 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | 50 km | |
| Breaffy N.S. | 377 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Ballintubber N.S. | 113 | +23% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S N an Teaghlaigh | 45 | −32% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 148 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| S.N. Naomh Brid C | 21 | −63% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Knockanillo N.S. | 28 | −24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 53 km |
| Cooneal N.S. | 58 | −41% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| Templemary N.S. | 47 | +21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 53 km |
| St Joseph's NS | 217 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| Bunscoil Naomh Bríd agus Pádraíg | 46 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| Killala N.S. | 85 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| Scoil Íosa | 242 | +31% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 54 km |
| S.N. Beal Caradh | 109 | −16% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol | 141 | +16% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 55 km |
| Saint Michaels N.S. | 17 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 55 km | |
| Cullens N.S. | 273 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| S.N. Fiondalbha | 37 | +28% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Ballyvary Central N.S. | 223 | +8% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Newtownwhite Educate Together NS | 59 | +7% | Multi-denominational | English | 56 km | |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Thuar Mhic Éadaigh | 94 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | 56 km | |
| S.N. Peadar agus Pol | 45 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| Clogher N.S. | 50 | +85% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| Lacken National School | 25 | −11% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 57 km |
| Foxford Central N.S. | 271 | +10% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Quignamanger N.S. | 364 | +13% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 231 | −5% | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| St Mary's National School | 51 | +19% | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| Burriscarra N.S. | 23 | – | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Feichin | 26 | −43% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| Beheymore N.S. | 228 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| Mount Pleasant N.S. | 87 | +1% | Catholic | English | 60 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Balla Aluinn | 202 | +7% | Catholic | English | 60 km | |
| Scoil Naisiunta Thola | 84 | −13% | Catholic | English | 61 km | |
| S.N. Ceathru an Chlochar | 35 | +6% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| Craggagh N.S. | 19 | −49% | Catholic | English | 63 km | |
| S.N. Mainistir Muigheo | 84 | −3% | Catholic | English | 63 km | |
| S.N. Muine Chonallain | 133 | +56% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 63 km |
| Scoil na gCoillini | 97 | +11% | Catholic | English | 63 km | |
| S.N. Chluain Luifin | 75 | +17% | Catholic | English | 64 km | |
| S.N. Gort an Eadain | 28 | +27% | Catholic | English | 65 km | |
| St Johns N.S. | 27 | −53% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 65 km |
| Robeen Central N.S. | 127 | +51% | Catholic | English | 65 km | |
| St. Josephs N.S. | 451 | −1% | Catholic | English | 66 km | |
| Kinaffe N.S. | 48 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| Killasser N.S. | 31 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| Kiltimagh Central | 262 | +9% | Catholic | English | 67 km | |
| Swinford N.S. | 200 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| S.N. Teach Caoin | 33 | −42% | Catholic | English | 68 km | |
| SN na hAille | 140 | +9% | Catholic | English | 69 km | |
| S.N. an Trian Lair | 66 | −7% | Catholic | English | 70 km | |
| Scoil Chomain Naofa | 82 | −12% | Catholic | English | 70 km | |
| Lehinch N.S. | 8 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 71 km |
| Claremorris National School | 314 | – | Catholic | English | 71 km | |
| Barnacarroll Central N.S. | 208 | +21% | Catholic | English | 71 km | |
| Culmore N.S. | 33 | −28% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 71 km |
| S.N. Naomh Feichin | 47 | −33% | Catholic | English | 72 km | |
| Knock N.S. | 152 | +4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Sheamais | 18 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 73 km |
| St Patricks Central N.S. | 117 | +4% | Catholic | English | 73 km | |
| S.N. Uileog de Burca | 105 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 74 km | |
| Gortjordan N.S. | 11 | −48% | Catholic | English | 74 km | |
| S.N. Nmh Treasa | 57 | +78% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 75 km |
| Cloonlyon N.S. | 28 | −40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 75 km |
| S.N. Gort Sceiche | 75 | −6% | Catholic | English | 75 km | |
| Meelickmore N.S. | 81 | +25% | Catholic | English | 76 km | |
| Ballindine B N.S. | 138 | +20% | Catholic | English | 77 km | |
| Glencorrib N.S. | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | 77 km | |
| S.N. Athracht Nfa | 268 | +41% | Catholic | English | 77 km | |
| SN Baile Cuisin | 13 | −35% | Catholic | English | 78 km | |
| St Marys N.S. | 93 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 78 km |
| SN Naomh Proinnsias | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| Beacan Mixed N.S. | 177 | +18% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| S.N. Tamhnighan Fheadha | 15 | −32% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Sheosamh | 99 | −13% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| Tavrane Central N.S. | 11 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 80 km |
| Irishtown N.S. | 70 | +15% | Catholic | English | 81 km | |
| S.N. Brighde | 103 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 82 km |
| Carracastle Central N.S. | 88 | +35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 83 km |
| Scoil Iosa | 385 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 84 km |
| St Johns N.S. | 32 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 84 km |
| Kilmovee N.S. | 51 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 87 km |
| St Colmans N.S. | 34 | +31% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 88 km |
Living in Dumha Thuama
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the F26 Eircode area
Housing in Dumha Thuama →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 Co. Mayo
Cost of living in Dumha Thuama →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 ↗near Dumha Thuama, F28 HY27
Primary schools near Valley 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 Valley N.S.
Is Valley 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 Valley N.S. have?
17 pupils in 2025/26. That is −26% since 2019/20.
Does Valley N.S. teach through Irish?
No: Valley N.S. teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Valley N.S.?
Valley N.S. has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Tuam.
How do pupils get a place at Valley 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 Valley N.S.?
The nearest are Dookinella N.S. (5.8 km), S.N. Naomh Padraig Saile (6.8 km) and S N Dhumha Thuama (8.1 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 Dumha Thuama; 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).