Scoil An Leinbh Iosa
Donegal Town, Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 274 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 144 girls, 130 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17260U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil an Linbh Íosa is a co‑educational primary school situated in Killymard, County Donegal, serving 273 pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school operates under the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Raphoe and is governed by a Board of Management comprising patron, parent, teacher and community representatives. With a staff complement that includes eleven mainstream teachers, four special‑educational‑needs (SEN) teachers, six SEN assistants and dedicated administrative support, the school is well‑resourced to deliver a broad curriculum across its classrooms and specialist areas. The school’s ethos centres on preparing pupils for life by nurturing physical, mental and spiritual development, promoting mutual respect, inclusiveness and a positive view of learning as a shared journey. Religious education follows Catholic doctrine, while a strong emphasis is placed on partnership with parents, the wider community and local organisations. A comprehensive support system for pupils with additional needs, alongside a varied programme of extracurricular activities such as art competitions and health‑related visits, reflects the school’s commitment to holistic education.
History
Scoil an Linbh Íosa opened on 18 January 1988 as a replacement for the former parish primary school, Ballydevitt National School.
Applying to Scoil An Leinbh Iosa
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 An Leinbh Iosa. 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 An Leinbh Iosa
How many pupils attend Scoil An Leinbh Iosa?
Scoil An Leinbh Iosa has 274 pupils enrolled, 144 girls and 130 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil An Leinbh Iosa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil An Leinbh Iosa 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 An Leinbh Iosa?
Scoil An Leinbh Iosa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.