Don National School
Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 38 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 23 girls, 15 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15255R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
The Don National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in a tranquil rural setting just five minutes from Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. It provides a nurturing environment that prioritises the emotional, social and academic development of each child, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. The school follows a broad and balanced curriculum enriched with digital learning, active learning approaches and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, as demonstrated by its Wellness Wednesday programme and after‑school club. The campus comprises three bright mainstream classrooms, a dedicated Special Education Teacher (SET) classroom, a purpose‑built hall, a calm room, modern toilet facilities and a well‑equipped staffroom and office. Facilities support a wide range of activities, from STEM workshops and science weeks to cultural events and sports. A close‑knit community of staff, parents and pupils underpins the school’s ethos, encouraging partnership, respect and active participation in initiatives such as the Green Schools Committee and the Student Council.
History
The school derives its name from Charles Owen O’Conor Don, who acquired local townlands in 1860 and championed national education in Parliament. The Don National School opened on 2 July 1866, initially admitting 97 girls and 89 boys in a thatched stone building with separate classrooms for each gender. After securing a grant in December 1898, the original premises closed on 10 April 1904 and a new building was officially opened in August 1904, featuring separate principals for the boys’ and girls’ sections. Subsequent decades saw numerous extensions, including the addition of an SET classroom, staffroom, office, hall, toilet facilities and a calm room. In the 1970s the school survived a government proposal to close small schools, thanks to strong community support. The centenary was celebrated in 2004 under Principal Mary Finneran, and President Mary McAleese visited on 4 April 2005, marking a hundred years of service to the community.
Applying to Don 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 Don 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 Don National School
How many pupils attend Don National School?
Don National School has 38 pupils enrolled, 23 girls and 15 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Don National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Don 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 Don National School?
Don National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.