Gleneely National School
Killygordon, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 45 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 20 girls, 25 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18172F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gleneely National School is a vibrant Catholic‑ethos primary school situated on the Finn Valley, offering a well‑ordered, caring and secure learning environment for children aged 4‑12. The curriculum is broad and diverse, designed to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each pupil, while promoting personal responsibility, leadership and teamwork. Catholic values underpin daily practice, with prayer, liturgical celebrations and a strong emphasis on respect for all faiths and nationalities, fostering a community spirit that extends to families and the wider parish. The school’s facilities have developed considerably since its origins, now comprising a modern main building with multiple classrooms, a purpose‑built hall, a library/resource room, a staff room and well‑maintained play areas including a water tower and play sheds. Recent extensions (2002, 2009) have added further classrooms and specialist spaces, supporting a growing enrolment and a fifth teaching post. Outdoor spaces are landscaped for sport and recreation, reflecting the school’s commitment to holistic development in a safe, happy setting.
History
The earliest record of Gleneely National School appears in the 1835‑36 Ordnance Survey Memoirs, noting a Roman Catholic school with 34 pupils under teacher Alexander Craig. A one‑room school was built in 1847 on land owned by John Bradley for £70, later resold to the Bradley family in 1959. In 1958 a new building was erected on the present site, completed in October at a cost of £12,000. A third teacher and a prefab classroom were added in 1982, with a permanent classroom added in 1994. Major government‑funded extensions in 2002 introduced an extra classroom, purpose hall, library/resource room and staff room, followed by further classroom conversions in 2003 and an additional classroom and resource room in 2009, reflecting ongoing growth and community support.
Applying to Gleneely 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 Gleneely 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 Gleneely National School
How many pupils attend Gleneely National School?
Gleneely National School has 45 pupils enrolled, 20 girls and 25 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gleneely National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Gleneely 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 Gleneely National School?
Gleneely National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.