Holy Family National School
Ballyshannon, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 193 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 87 girls, 106 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20150H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Holy Family National School is a mixed Catholic primary school in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, with 193 pupils and DEIS status. Classes run from Junior Infants to 6th Class, with some year groups paired, and two special classes known as Rock Hub 1 and Rock Hub 2 operate alongside them. Special education teaching is provided by two teachers, and a home school support service works with families. Sixth Class pupils run Siopa na Scoile, a school shop that puts their maths to practical use and gives them experience of running a small business, with the profit spent on a trip before they leave. Sport is prominent: pupils compete in Cumann na mBunscol hurling, camogie and rounders, and an internal Gaelic football league runs in a round robin format. The school takes part in Green Schools, holds the Amber wellbeing flag and works towards the Active School Flag. Other activities include VEX Robotics, traditional music during Seachtain na Gaeilge, Discover Primary Science and Maths, and a cycle bus supported by parents and An Garda Síochána.
Applying to Holy Family 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 Holy Family 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 Holy Family National School
How many pupils attend Holy Family National School?
Holy Family National School has 193 pupils enrolled, 87 girls and 106 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Holy Family 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 Holy Family National School?
Holy Family National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.