Athenry News & Views Summer 2026

Athenry News & Views

Busy Times in Gaelscoil Riada

Bhí téarma iontach gnóthach, bríomhar agus taitneamhach againn i nGaelscoil Riada le cúpla mí anuas. Bhí béim mhór ar fholláine, ar fhoghlaim faoin aer agus ar réimse leathan gníomhaíochtaí seach-churaclaim a chur ar fáil do na páistí. Bhí spiorad agus fuinneamh le sonrú timpeall na scoile i gcónaí agus bhain na daltaí an-taitneamh as na deiseanna éagsúla a bhí ar fáil dóibh i rith an téarma. It has been another incredibly busy and enjoyable term in Gaelscoil Riada, with a huge emphasis placed on wellbeing, outdoor learning and providing pupils with a wide range of exciting extracurricular opportunities. There has been a wonderful atmosphere throughout the school over the past few months, with our boys and girls embracing every opportunity to participate, learn and enjoy new experiences together. Sport continues to play a central role in school life and our pupils proudly represented Gaelscoil Riada in football, camogie, hurling and soccer competitions throughout Galway. Children participated in Cumann na mBunscol competitions, Parish Leagues and the FAI 5-a-side tournaments, displaying fantastic teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the year. We are extremely proud of all their efforts and achievements both on and off the pitch. Music and creativity also featured strongly this term. Children from Rang 3 to Rang 6 were thrilled to participate in the Music Generation Ukulele Orchestra in Leisureland. This was a wonderful experience for all involved and gave pupils a fantastic opportunity to develop their musical talents while performing alongside children from schools across Galway. We also congratulate all the children who participated in the Community Games Art Competition, with a special mention to Aoibhínn, who achieved first place in the Under-10 category, a fantastic accomplishment. Wellbeing and active lifestyles remain a huge priority in Gaelscoil Riada. Rang 1 and Rang 4 are thoroughly enjoying yoga classes, while Naíonáin and Rang 6 have been benefiting from music therapy and sound bath sessions as they prepare for important transitions, particularly our sixth-class pupils getting ready for secondary school. Rang 2, Rang 3 and Rang 5 continue to enjoy their swimming lessons in the Raheen Woods Hotel each week. Bike Week brought great excitement to the school, with pupils taking part in workshops

and activities focusing on cycling skills, bike safety and bicycle maintenance. The children thoroughly enjoyed the many events organised throughout the week, particularly the cycling tour around Athenry which was a fantastic success. Outdoor learning also continues to flourish in Gaelscoil Riada through our involvement in the Heritage in Schools Forest Schools Programme, and we were delighted to recently welcome CRANN to the school as part of this work. A special congratulations goes to all the pupils who celebrated their First Holy Communion and Confirmation recently in glorious sunshine. These were wonderful occasions for the children, their families and the wider school community. We are also delighted to share the exciting news that Gaelscoil Riada will open its first Autism Class this September. This marks a very important and positive development for our school community and we look forward to welcoming pupils to this new class in the coming school year. As we look ahead, we are hugely excited about the commencement of our new purpose-built school building, which will provide state-of-the art facilities for our growing school community. Enrolments are currently open and further information can be found on our website at

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