Scoil Naomh Peadar
Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 135 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 65 girls, 70 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18129E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Peter’s National School is a mainstream primary school in the picturesque town of Mountcharles, County Donegal, set on an elevated site with views over the Atlantic Ocean. It welcomes boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and provides an inclusive, nurturing environment where all pupils learn, play and grow together. The school places a strong emphasis on best‑practice teaching, caring for each child’s wellbeing and fostering a safe, happy atmosphere in which every learner is valued. Recent developments have expanded the school’s provision for special educational needs, with two dedicated classes for autistic children introduced in September 2024. The campus comprises a range of purpose‑built facilities built up over the decades, including multiple classrooms, a hall, a staff room, a kitchen and additional storage areas, all supporting a vibrant curriculum that balances academic learning with physical activity and community involvement.
History
The school was constructed in 1957 and officially opened on Tuesday 18 February 1958. Built by Joe Mc Menamin on a field purchased from Mary Claire Mc Rory near the local football pitch, it was originally named after St Peter, the patron saint of the Turas and the nearby lake. The original staff comprised four teachers, including the principal, who relocated from a smaller school in Glencoagh. Since its opening, the school has undergone numerous extensions, adding extra classrooms, a hall, office, staff room, kitchen and external stores.
Applying to Scoil Naomh Peadar
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 Naomh Peadar. 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 Naomh Peadar
How many pupils attend Scoil Naomh Peadar?
Scoil Naomh Peadar has 135 pupils enrolled, 65 girls and 70 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Naomh Peadar a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Naomh Peadar 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 Naomh Peadar?
Scoil Naomh Peadar has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.