Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal
Letterkenny, Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 480 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 284 girls, 196 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18052S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire gan Smál is a co‑educational primary school in Letterkenny that follows the Loreto tradition of excellence, aiming to nurture each child’s academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development. The school’s ethos is built around the Green School motto “All Equal, All Different”, promoting respect, understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. A caring, inclusive environment is reinforced through continuous positive reinforcement, affirmation and encouragement, helping pupils develop confidence and independence while remaining strong members of a supportive school family. The campus combines historic charm with modern facilities. A state‑of‑the‑art hall, a newly refurbished GP Hall, a purpose‑built cookery kitchen and an expanded library serve the whole school community. Recent extensions added twelve contemporary classrooms, two new playgrounds and upgraded outdoor spaces. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, including a Vex Robotics programme that competes nationally, an active school initiative, music club sessions, and a range of cultural activities such as Seachtain na Gaeilge. The school also partners with Webwise to teach safe internet use, underscoring its commitment to the wellbeing and digital safety of its pupils.
History
The Loreto Sisters first arrived in Letterkenny in 1854, establishing primary education in the Adoration Chapel (the “Seanscoil”). As enrolments grew, classes moved to the Literary Institute and later to St. Columba’s National School (the “Old Boys School”). In 1956 the sisters transferred to the present site of Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, opening a ten‑classroom school under Principals Sr Ignatius Byrne and Sr Angelica Mulcahy, the latter becoming the first principal of the modern school. Subsequent expansions included a six‑classroom addition in 1995 and a major refurbishment begun in 2006, culminating on 16 November 2011 when the new extension – twelve classrooms, a GP Hall, cookery kitchen and library – brought all pupils under one roof for the first time. The school has continued to evolve, with recent developments such as new playgrounds and the acquisition of a field in November 2023.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal?
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal has 480 pupils enrolled, 284 girls and 196 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal?
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.