Kilbarron National School
Ballyshannon, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 44 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 18 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 10595Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Kilbarron National School is a small, inclusive primary school situated on the Belleek Road on the outskirts of Ballyshannon, opposite Kathleen’s Falls. The school provides a warm, welcoming and safe learning environment for around 40 pupils, supported by a dedicated team of classroom teachers, support staff and special‑needs assistants. Classrooms are bright and well‑equipped with interactive touch‑screens, Chromebooks, iPads and tablets, enabling a modern, technology‑enhanced curriculum that balances the traditional “3 R’s” with creative and digital learning. The school benefits from extensive indoor and outdoor facilities. A large yard includes a full‑size lined basketball court, a grass area with goal posts, a school garden, a sensory garden, and a slide and climbing frame. Extra‑curricular provision is strong: the school is a recognised Active School offering Gaelic, rugby, basketball, hurling, soccer and bi‑annual swimming lessons, while the Green School programme works towards a 5th Green Flag for biodiversity. A hot lunch service forms part of the DEIS initiative, and the Amber Flag programme promotes positive mental health. An annual Christmas play and regular community events enrich the school’s vibrant ethos.
History
Kilbarron National School forms part of a continuous primary‑school tradition dating back over 300 years. The present building on the Belleek Road was erected in 1983, replacing the former site on Church Avenue near St Anne’s Church, where schools had existed since at least 1718 when Archdeacon Michael Hewetson founded a schoolhouse for poor children. Following the establishment of the national school system in 1831, a Protestant parochial school opened on Church Avenue, and the poet William Allingham attended the nearby Wray’s School. Kilbarron National School itself opened in 1871, was enlarged in 1901, and later incorporated pupils from Mullinashee, Cavangarden and Kinlough schools. The move to the Belleek Road site marked the end of the long‑standing Church Avenue era.
Applying to Kilbarron 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 Kilbarron 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 Kilbarron National School
How many pupils attend Kilbarron National School?
Kilbarron National School has 44 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 18 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilbarron National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Kilbarron 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 Kilbarron National School?
Kilbarron National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.