Craigtown National School
CARNDONAGH, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 186 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 83 girls, 103 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16880W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Colmcille, Craigtown National School is a mixed primary school set in the picturesque countryside on the outskirts of Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. With a roll of 169 pupils, the school is staffed by eight teachers, including a dedicated Special Education Team, and supported by four Special Needs Assistants, a secretary and cleaning personnel. The school’s ethos, encapsulated in the motto *‘Ní Neart go Cur le Chéile’* (“There is No Strength Without Unity”), underpins a welcoming, safe and well‑ordered environment that aims to nurture every child spiritually, cognitively, emotionally, socially and physically. The campus offers a range of modern facilities that enhance experiential learning. The playground features artificial grass, tarmac, bark surfaces and a garden area, alongside two football pitches. A thriving school garden now boasts ten raised beds and a newly‑built polytunnel, providing hands‑on opportunities for planting and harvesting. An outdoor classroom gazebo and surrounding walks across the historic “Rodden” enable pupils to engage with nature directly. The school is also a Reading Recovery‑accredited centre, delivering targeted early‑literacy support for young learners.
Applying to Craigtown National School
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 primary school dates apply broadly to Craigtown National School. 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: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 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 Craigtown National School
How many pupils attend Craigtown National School?
Craigtown National School has 186 pupils enrolled, 83 girls and 103 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Craigtown National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Craigtown National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Craigtown National School?
Craigtown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.