Gaeilge is at the heart of what we do at Scoil Chlochair Mhuire. As one of the two national languages of Ireland, Irish is a compulsory subject throughout primary school and a subject we teach with care, creativity and genuine enthusiasm.

Irish teaching at primary level focuses on developing all four key language skills — listening, speaking, reading and writing — while also building children's language awareness and cultural awareness. We want every child to leave primary school with not just a competency in the language, but a real connection to it.

Under the new Primary Curriculum Framework (2023), Irish sits within the Language curriculum area, alongside English and, from third class onwards, a Modern Foreign Language. Our staff have been trained in the updated framework and are actively implementing its approaches in the classroom — placing greater emphasis on communication, confidence and enjoyment of the language rather than rote learning alone.