Drumkeen National School
Drumkeen, Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 118 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 54 girls, 64 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17057A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the parish of Raphoe, County Donegal. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Raphoe, the school provides a nurturing environment for roughly 110‑125 pupils, emphasising the holistic development of each child – intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually. The curriculum is delivered within a modern building opened in 1991, which houses five classroom teachers, two special‑education teachers and four special‑needs assistants, supported by dedicated facilities for ICT, sports and creative activities. The school’s ethos is rooted in Catholic values, promoting respect, community, and a love of learning. A strong focus on inclusive education ensures that children with special educational needs are fully supported, while a range of extracurricular programmes encourages confidence, teamwork and personal growth. The close proximity to the local chapel reinforces the spiritual dimension of school life, and the school actively engages parents and the wider community in its programmes and events.
History
The original Drumkeen National School opened in 1936 as a modest two‑teacher, one‑room school near the present parish hall. Funded by community contributions and the purchase of a field from Jim Patton, the school served hundreds of pupils from Drumkeen and surrounding areas. Over the decades, notable staff such as Master Harvey (principal 1942‑1973) and Master Ferry oversaw its growth, with enrolments reaching around 80 pupils by 1969 and the addition of prefabricated classrooms. In the mid‑1970s a committee was formed to campaign for a new building; after extensive fundraising and lobbying, a new school was constructed beside the chapel and opened on 4 September 1991. The old school was later demolished and the site now hosts the local shop and post office.
Applying to Drumkeen 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
View Drumkeen National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Drumkeen National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Drumkeen National School
How many pupils attend Drumkeen National School?
Drumkeen National School has 118 pupils enrolled, 54 girls and 64 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Drumkeen National School a DEIS school?
No. Drumkeen National School 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.
What is the ethos of Drumkeen National School?
Drumkeen National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.