Deele College
Lifford, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 840 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 396 girls, 444 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71230R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Deele College is a state‑funded, co‑educational post‑primary school operating under the patronage of the Donegal Education and Training Board (Donegal ETB). As part of the Donegal ETB network, the college delivers a holistic, quality learning environment that prepares students for further and higher education or direct entry into the workplace. The curriculum follows the national three‑year Junior Cycle and a two‑ or three‑year Senior Cycle, with the optional Transition Year offering broader personal and social development. Learners can pursue the traditional Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) or the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCAP), ensuring a range of pathways to suit diverse interests and abilities. The school’s ethos is grounded in the five core values of Donegal ETB – Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect – which shape its policies, practices and relationships. Facilities are designed to support these values, providing modern classrooms, specialist labs, sports and outdoor education resources, and access to the wider ETB services such as music education and youth programmes. Deele College therefore aims to foster academic achievement, personal wellbeing and active citizenship within a supportive, inclusive community.
Applying to Deele College
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 Deele College. 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 Deele College
How many pupils attend Deele College?
Deele College has 840 pupils enrolled, 396 girls and 444 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Deele College a DEIS school?
Yes. Deele College 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 Deele College?
Deele College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.