Scoil Mhuire
CIONN DROMA, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 64 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 34 girls, 30 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18120J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Mhuire, Caiseal, is a primary school situated in the Gaeltacht of County Donegal, where Irish is the language of instruction and everyday communication. The school operates an immersion ethos, requiring pupils and visitors to speak Irish throughout the building, playground and on school outings. This policy reflects a strong commitment to preserving the native tongue and fostering fluency among children, with parental support encouraged regardless of the family’s own language proficiency. The campus comprises the original 1956 building, now repurposed as a main hall, office suite and toilet facilities, alongside four modern classrooms added in 2000. Additional prefabricated rooms were installed in 1972 following the amalgamation of the former Ballymichael and Ballylar national schools. These facilities provide a blend of historic character and contemporary learning spaces, supporting a curriculum that balances academic development with cultural and linguistic immersion.
History
The school was constructed in 1956. In 1972, three prefabricated classrooms were added after the merger of Ballymichael N.S. and Ballylar N.S. In 2000, four new classrooms were built and the original building was converted into a main hall with offices and toilets.
Applying to Scoil Mhuire
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Mhuire. 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 Mhuire
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire?
Scoil Mhuire has 64 pupils enrolled, 34 girls and 30 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire 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.
Does Scoil Mhuire teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire teaches all subjects through Irish. It is also located in a Gaeltacht area.