St Macartans Central
Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 276 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 135 girls, 141 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19686S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Macartan’s Central National School is a co‑educational primary school situated on Sheil Avenue in Bundoran, County Donegal. The school provides a welcoming, child‑centred environment that aims to meet the individual needs and abilities of every pupil. Its curriculum is complemented by a broad range of extra‑curricular activities, including sport, music, drama, quizzes and cross‑border and international projects, fostering a well‑rounded education and encouraging pupils to develop confidence and teamwork skills. The campus comprises a modern two‑storey classroom block built in 1979, with an adjoining assembly hall, staffroom and a small kitchen area. These facilities support both academic learning and community events. The school places a strong emphasis on communication with parents and the wider community, using its website as a hub for news, events and resources, thereby promoting partnership and transparency in the educational process.
History
St. Macartan’s Central National School opened in 1979 following the amalgamation of the former St. Macartan’s Boys National School (established in 1953) and St. Louis Convent National School (established in 1892). The merger reunited the town’s separate boys’ and girls’ schools into a single co‑educational institution on the former boys’ school site in Sheil Avenue. The school began with over 320 pupils and a new two‑storey building, converting the old structure into an assembly hall, staffroom and kitchen. Since its inception, the school has grown in strength, offering a happy learning environment and a wide variety of curricular and extra‑curricular activities.
Applying to St Macartans Central
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 St Macartans Central. 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 Macartans Central
How many pupils attend St Macartans Central?
St Macartans Central has 276 pupils enrolled, 135 girls and 141 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Macartans Central a DEIS school?
Yes. St Macartans Central 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 Macartans Central?
St Macartans Central has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.