Glenswilly National School
Newmills,, Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 262 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 130 girls, 132 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19313C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Glenswilly National School is a vibrant primary school located in New Mills, Letterkenny, County Donegal. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum that balances academic learning with a strong emphasis on extracurricular achievement. Pupils benefit from a modern learning environment that includes an astro‑turf pitch, a newly opened running track, and dedicated spaces for arts, music and technology. The school’s participation in the National Creative Schools Pilot programme and its VEX Robotics and coding teams demonstrate a commitment to fostering creativity, problem‑solving and digital literacy from an early age. A well‑established board of management oversees the school’s strategic direction, ensuring robust safeguarding, equality and health policies are in place. The hot‑lunch programme, supplied by Fresh Today, supports healthy eating habits, while a range of sports – from rugby and soccer to Cumann na mBunscol – and arts initiatives, such as the Allingham Arts awards, provide students with diverse opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills. The school’s active community involvement and regular celebration of student achievements create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for families and learners alike.
Applying to Glenswilly 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 Glenswilly 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 Glenswilly National School
How many pupils attend Glenswilly National School?
Glenswilly National School has 262 pupils enrolled, 130 girls and 132 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Glenswilly National School a DEIS school?
No. Glenswilly 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 Glenswilly National School?
Glenswilly National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.