St Davadogs National School
Letterkenny, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 27 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 10 girls, 17 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16471F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Davaddog’s National School is a small, rural primary school situated on the outskirts of Tamney village in County Donegal. Built in 1915, the school serves a close‑knit community where many pupils are related and where generations of local families have been educated. The school’s rural setting provides a scenic backdrop for learning, and the catchment area includes the surrounding townlands such as Ballymichael and Kerrykeel, with some children travelling from further afield. The school places a strong emphasis on a holistic, active learning approach. It participates in the Active School Flag programme and offers a wide range of co‑curricular activities, including computer lessons, drama, football training, gymnastics, and Green Schools projects such as biodiversity initiatives. These programmes aim to promote physical wellbeing, digital literacy, creativity and environmental awareness alongside the core curriculum. As a designated Disadvantaged school under the rural DEIS scheme, St. Davaddog’s benefits from additional resources to support inclusive education and to maintain steady enrolment for the future.
History
The present school building was erected in 1915 and has since acted as a focal point for the local community. Over the decades, generations of families from the Tamney area have attended the school, creating a strong sense of continuity and community involvement. The school continues to serve the rural population and remains an important educational centre in the region.
Applying to St Davadogs National School
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 St Davadogs National School. 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 St Davadogs National School
How many pupils attend St Davadogs National School?
St Davadogs National School has 27 pupils enrolled, 10 girls and 17 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Davadogs National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Davadogs National School 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 St Davadogs National School?
St Davadogs National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.