Colaiste Ailigh
Leitir Ceanainn, Donegal
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 324 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 182 girls, 142 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 76081F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Ailigh is a mixed‑gender community college situated in Knocknamona, Letterkenny, serving approximately 325 pupils from the town and the wider Donegal hinterland, including Fanad, Carrigart, Downings, Creeslough, Termon and Strabane. The school delivers the full secondary curriculum – Junior Cycle, Transition Year, Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme – entirely through the Irish language, which is the principal medium of communication and learning. While Irish is the core language of instruction, bilingual support is provided for parents and community members who require English, ensuring inclusive engagement. The college occupies a purpose‑built, modern facility opened in May 2014 by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The building, the first in the Donegal Education and Training Board area constructed under the Public‑Private Partnership scheme, offers contemporary classrooms, specialist laboratories and dedicated spaces for extracurricular activities such as the school podcast, computer courses and cultural programmes. Emphasis is placed on fostering a vibrant Irish‑speaking community, with strong links between staff, students and families, and a commitment to holistic wellbeing and academic excellence.
History
Coláiste Ailigh was founded in September 2000, initially operating from rented premises in Sprackburn House, Letterkenny. In 2003 it became the VEC’s third school under the Department of Education and Science. A major milestone occurred in November 2013 when the school moved to its new modern building in Knocknamona; the official opening was performed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 12 May 2014. Since its inception the college has expanded its enrolment from 56 pupils in its first year to over 300 today, drawing students from a broad catchment area across County Donegal and beyond.
Applying to Colaiste Ailigh
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Colaiste Ailigh. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Colaiste Ailigh
How many pupils attend Colaiste Ailigh?
Colaiste Ailigh has 324 pupils enrolled, 182 girls and 142 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Colaiste Ailigh a DEIS school?
No. Colaiste Ailigh is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
Does Colaiste Ailigh teach through Irish?
Yes. Colaiste Ailigh teaches all subjects through Irish.