Scoil Cholmcille
Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 199 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 105 girls, 94 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16820E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Cholmcille is a medium‑sized, co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, midway between Derry City and Letterkenny. As a Catholic‑maintained school it places a strong emphasis on Christian values while welcoming children of all faiths and none. The curriculum follows the programmes set out by the Department of Education and Science and is delivered across nine mainstream classes and five special‑education teachers, supporting over 220 pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The school benefits from an expansive campus that includes two large grass pitches, a recently refurbished astro‑turf pitch, two play‑parks, a fully tarmacked yard and dedicated shelters for infants and bicycle/scooter storage. Classrooms are spacious and equipped with the latest learning technology such as iPads, laptops and interactive whiteboards. A specialist music teacher and a wide range of extra‑curricular activities – from Gaelic football and basketball to yoga, mindfulness, chess and tin‑whistle lessons – enrich the pupils’ experience and promote holistic development.
History
Scoil Cholmcille opened on its present site in 1983, replacing the original school building that now houses the Newtowncunningham Playgroup. The school is located between the N13 bypass and the village, about 8 km from the Derry border. Extensions were added in 2009 (two classrooms) and 2014 (two support rooms), reflecting steady growth in enrolment, from six mainstream classes in 2007 to nine by 2021. Notable principals have included John Hegarty (1983), Bríd McLoone (1991‑1999), James Doherty (1999‑2018) and Nicola McCarthy (from 2018).
Applying to Scoil Cholmcille
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 Cholmcille. 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 Cholmcille
How many pupils attend Scoil Cholmcille?
Scoil Cholmcille has 199 pupils enrolled, 105 girls and 94 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Cholmcille a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Cholmcille 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 Cholmcille?
Scoil Cholmcille has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.