Ray National School
Manorcunningham, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 51 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 23 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14941G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ray National School is a small rural primary school situated on the Lifford road just outside the village of Manorcunningham. The school comprises three classrooms, two support rooms, an office and a staff room, providing a compact yet well‑equipped environment for its pupils. A supportive community ethos underpins daily life, with a focus on active learning and a range of projects that run throughout the year, fostering a lively and engaging atmosphere. The curriculum is enriched by hands‑on activities that encourage practical maths, scientific inquiry and creative play. Children explore concepts such as capacity, estimation and number using tools like Numicon, while outdoor sessions in the garden centre allow them to grow plants and conduct experiments. Regular initiatives such as “Active Tuesdays”, litter‑picking days and yoga sessions promote physical wellbeing, teamwork and environmental stewardship. Recent IT funding in 2021 has equipped senior learners with Chromebooks, helping to bridge the digital divide and support pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.
History
The school opened in 1740 in its original building, which included a teacher’s residence and a farm. In 2001 the school relocated to a new building situated just metres down the road from the original site.
Applying to Ray 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 Ray 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 Ray National School
How many pupils attend Ray National School?
Ray National School has 51 pupils enrolled, 23 girls and 28 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ray National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Ray 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 Ray National School?
Ray National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.