Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill
Bun an Phobail, Donegal
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 75 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 47 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20144M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail is a full‑Irish‑medium primary school (bunscoil) that strives to create a positive, nurturing atmosphere where every child’s self‑esteem is fostered. The school’s ethos places equal emphasis on meeting the moral, cultural and individual needs of pupils, ensuring that each child feels valued and supported in their personal development. Learning is delivered entirely through the Irish language, reflecting the belief that immersion not only enhances academic achievement but also strengthens cultural identity and spiritual and social growth. The curriculum is designed to develop the whole child – academically, spiritually and socially – with a strong focus on the arts, music and other creative subjects. Research cited by the school highlights the advantages of bilingual education, noting that pupils in immersion settings tend to perform better academically and benefit in the acquisition of additional languages. Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail therefore aims to provide a holistic education that prepares children for lifelong learning while preserving and promoting the Irish language and heritage.
History
Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail was opened in the year 2000 in Bun an Phobail. At its inception the school had only a handful of pupils attending its first year. Since then the enrolment has steadily increased, growing from modest beginnings to a thriving primary school community.
Applying to Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill
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 Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill. 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 Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill
How many pupils attend Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill?
Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill has 75 pupils enrolled, 47 girls and 28 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill a DEIS school?
No. Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill 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.
Does Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill teach through Irish?
Yes. Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill teaches all subjects through Irish.