Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal
Ardara, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 94 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 55 girls, 39 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18131O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s National School (Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál) is situated on a scenic height overlooking the mountainous landscape and the coastal town of Ardara, County Donegal, beside the historic fort that gave the town its name. The school provides a Catholic‑based ethos that promotes Christian values and a culture of mutual respect, supported by an active Board of Management. Modern learning is underpinned by high‑speed broadband connectivity delivered through the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan, ensuring pupils have access to contemporary digital resources. The school operates with a balanced staffing structure that includes mainstream teachers, a special‑education teacher and special‑needs assistants, complemented by administrative support. Facilities comprise several classrooms, with an additional classroom added in the 1970s, and a dedicated shelter at the rear of the building. The environment benefits from ample natural light, being south‑facing, and the school’s uniform policy reinforces a sense of community. Extracurricular and pastoral programmes are embedded within the curriculum, fostering resilience and holistic development for all learners.
History
Ardara originally hosted separate male and female national schools in the mid‑19th century, the male school (Ardara No. 1) connecting to the Board of Education in 1838 and the female school (Ardara No. 2) becoming a national school in 1840. A third school (Ardara No. 3) joined the Board in 1861, and the three later amalgamated into a unified Protestant school near Hillhead in the late 1890s. Construction of the first Catholic school in Ardara began in 1879; it opened on 1 October 1881, was formally connected on 1 November 1881 (roll 12242), and originally comprised three classrooms below the local chapel. Deterioration led to the decision in the 1950s to build a new school at Hillhead; the first sod was turned on 10 March 1956 and the building, blessed by Canon Charles Boyce and Fr McGroarty, opened on 17 June 1957 with 150 pupils (roll 18131O). A further classroom was added in the 1970s, and the school has continued to serve the Ardara community ever since.
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 94 pupils enrolled, 55 girls and 39 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal?
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan Smal has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.