Errigal College
Letterkenny, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 662 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 278 girls, 384 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71200I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Errigal College is a co‑educational secondary school in Letterkenny that delivers the Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Applied curricula, complemented by a robust Further Education and Training (FET) provision. The college’s educational philosophy centres on enabling every student to reach their full potential through a partnership with parents, underpinned by the values of excellence, care, equality, respect and community. A strong emphasis is placed on digital learning, with a dedicated Digital Learning Strategy, and a broad curriculum that now includes coding, computer science and physical education alongside traditional academic subjects. The campus is undergoing a major expansion funded by €15 million, adding a new 6 600 m² building and recent modular classrooms, specialist SET rooms and modern office spaces. State‑of‑the‑art facilities include a STEM lab and makerspace, extensive sports and music resources, and a 3D virtual tour of the school. Extracurricular provision is wide‑ranging, offering opportunities in sport, the arts and community‑based projects, all designed to develop confidence, teamwork and lifelong learning skills.
History
Errigal College has been a fixture in Letterkenny since 1914, when it first opened on Main Street. Over more than a century the school has grown to serve over 660 pupils from more than 40 nationalities, offering Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Applied programmes, as well as post‑leaving certificate courses in areas such as Animal Care, Business Studies and Inclusive Education. Recent development includes a €15 million investment for a new 6 600 m² building and the addition of modular classrooms, SET rooms and office space to accommodate up to 750 students.
Applying to Errigal 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
View Errigal College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Errigal College. 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: 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 Errigal College
How many pupils attend Errigal College?
Errigal College has 662 pupils enrolled, 278 girls and 384 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Errigal College a DEIS school?
Yes. Errigal 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 Errigal College?
Errigal College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.