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Donegal

171 primary schools and 18,871 pupils in 2025/26.

Pupils in 2025/26
18,871
−157 on 2024/25
Schools
171
−2 on 2024/25
Average school size
110.4
+0.4 on 2024/25
Average class size
21.47
−0.04 on 2024/25

Counts every school that reported in each year, including schools that have since closed. Dotted lines bridge 1983/84 to 1992/93. 1974/75 is left out because that year's source file is missing five counties.

Pupils

18,871

−157 on 2024/25

1975/762025/26

Schools

171

205 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average pupils per school

110.4

93.0 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average class size

21.47

−0.04 on 2024/25

2006/072025/26

Growing and falling since 2015/16

Each school's change in pupils over 10 years, from 2015/16 to 2025/26. A change of 10% or more either way counts as growing or falling.

Every school's change

171 schools with figures for both years

75fell by 10% or more
48within 10%
48grew by 10% or more
Down 25% or more · 43Down 10 to 25% · 32Within 10% · 48Up 10 to 25% · 17Up 25% or more · 31

Grown most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 Naomh AdhamhnainLaghey, Co. Donegal 57 → 123 +115.8%
  2. 2 Scoil ChoilmcilleLetterkenny, Co. Donegal 355 → 658 +85.4%
  3. 3 Letterkenny Educate Together NSLetterkenny, Co. Donegal 228 → 420 +84.2%
  4. 4 Scoil Naomh PeadarMountcharles, Co. Donegal 79 → 134 +69.6%
  5. 5 Scoil Treasa NaofaMalin, Co. Donegal 81 → 137 +69.1%

Fallen most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 S N FhionntraKillybegs, Co. Donegal 63 → 5 −92.1%
  2. 2 Gaelscoil Bhun CrannchaBun Cranncha, Co. Donegal 181 → 67 −63.0%
  3. 3 Gaelscoil EirneBéal Átha Seannaigh, Co. Donegal 76 → 29 −61.8%
  4. 4 Gleneely N SKillygordon, Co. Donegal 97 → 45 −53.6%
  5. 5 SN Naomh SamhthannCastlefin, Co. Donegal 84 → 40 −52.4%

Ranked by percentage change. Only schools with 50 or more pupils in 2015/16 are ranked, leaving out any still filling their classes then, because a few pupils make a big percentage in a small or new school. An amalgamation or a new school nearby can also explain a big rise or fall.

Break Donegal down

Select a group to see its schools, pupils and class sizes.

Planning areas

Change over
Letterkenny 21 4,914 234.0 23.73 202
+7.9%
Carndonagh 21 2,200 104.8 22.19 98
−5.2%
Buncrana 10 1,886 188.6 23.45 77
−9.5%
Stranorlar 16 1,797 112.3 20.99 83
−7.6%
Donegal 12 1,387 115.6 21.57 63
+3.3%
Raphoe 12 1,291 107.6 21.39 59
+6.3%
Milford 17 1,240 72.9 20.83 59
+0.8%
Ballyshannon–Donegal 10 1,094 109.4 22.08 49
+8.0%
Falcarragh 13 773 59.5 17.64 42
+4.0%
Gweedore 8 643 80.4 19.50 32
−6.3%
Glenties 14 568 40.6 15.91 35
−4.7%
Dungloe 8 480 60.0 17.88 26
−15.0%
Killybegs 4 338 84.5 18.59 17
−9.9%
Carrick 4 242 60.5 17.85 13
−19.6%
Tory Island 1 18 18.0 9.00 2
+100.0%

Change since 2015/16 counts today's schools and any that closed from 2023/24; earlier closures aren't in any planning area. All planning areas in Ireland

Patrons
Bishop of Raphoe 96 11,224 116.9 21.57 507
Bishop of Derry 36 4,887 135.8 22.58 210
Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI 17 822 48.4 17.49 47
Bishop of Clogher 3 523 174.3 23.23 22
Educate Together 1 420 420.0 23.65 17
Presbytery of Derry & Donegal 9 348 38.7 15.82 22
Joint patronage between Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI and the Presbytery of Derry & Donegal 2 315 157.5 23.77 13
An Foras Pátrúnachta 4 226 56.5 18.83 12
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 2 86 43.0 17.20 5
Joint patronage between the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe COI & the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 1 20 20.0 10.00 2

Local authorities
Donegal County Council 171 18,871 110.4 21.47 857

Class sizes

Mainstream class groups only. The source does not identify which standard/year group each class group belongs to. Figures for 2025/26: 18,401 pupils in mainstream classes.

Average class size
21.47
Mainstream classes
857
Largest class
36
Classes of 30 or more
78
Schools with a class of 30+
44

Teachers

Teachers in the 171 mainstream primary schools here, 2006/07 to 2025/26. Class teachers are counted every year; all teaching posts where they're known.

How we count teachers
Class teachers in 2025/26
857
Up 90 since 2006/07, while pupils rose 5%
Teaching posts in 2025/26
about 1,350
Estimate: 857 class teachers, 50 principals and deputies, 360 special education and 83 special class teachers
Teachers in 2015/16
1,125
The Department's last count of every teacher
Since 2024/25
9 / 13
9 schools gained a class teacher, 13 lost one

Class teachers since 2006/07

One for each mainstream class, every school year

Special schools and special classes

2 special schools in Donegal, and the special classes in its 171 mainstream schools. Special schools aren't counted in the pupils, class sizes or teachers above.

All special schools
Pupils in special schools
274
In 2 schools, up from 165 in 2015/16
Special classes in 2025/26
83
In 38 of 171 schools. 50 in 2020/21
Allocated for 2026/27
90
In 42 schools: 7 new classes, 4 schools with their first
Autism classes
69
83% of special classes

Special classes since 2020/21

In Donegal's mainstream schools, from the NCSE's yearly lists

  • 2020/21 50
  • 2021/22 55
  • 2022/23 57
  • 2023/24 68
  • 2024/25 77
  • 2025/26 83
  • 2026/27 90

2026/27, dashed: allocated for next year.

Special school Pupils Since 2015/16 Teaching posts SNAs
Little Angels Spec SCHLetterkenny · Moderate general learning disability 145
+54.3%
26 64
St Bernadette Spec SCHLetterkenny · Mild general learning disability 129
+81.7%
16 26.5

Sources: Department of Education enrolment lists; NCSE special class lists and special school allocations (CC BY 4.0).

Schools in Donegal

171 schools with 2025/26 figures, largest first.

Every school in Donegal (CSV)
Change over

Select a column heading to sort

Roll number
Scoil IosagainBuncrana 19967D 778
+5.0%
29 24.69 30 1
Scoil ChoilmcilleLetterkenny 18625Q 658
+85.4%
24 26.96 28 0
Scoil Naomh FiachraLetterkenny 12077E 519
+0.8%
20 25.95 32 6
Scoil Mhuire B & CStranorlar 19927O 489
+8.2%
20 24.00 30 1
S N Muire gan SmalLetterkenny 18052S 480
+8.1%
19 24.95 30 10
S N Talamh na CoilleLetterkenny 17728V 467
−3.1%
19 22.58 28 0
St Patricks N SLetterkenny 16672P 426
−7.2%
17 24.35 31 3
Letterkenny Educate Together NSLetterkenny 20235P 420
+84.2%
17 23.65 31 2
Gaelscoil AdhamhnainLeitir Ceanainn 19971R 410
−4.7%
16 25.62 30 2
St Macartans CentralBundoran 19686S 276
+11.7%
12 23.00 33 1
Scoil an Linbh ÍosaDonegal Town 17260U 274
+18.1%
11 24.91 34 2
Scoil ChróineAn Clochán Liath 20421M 265
−3.3%
11 22.73 33 2
Glenswilly N SLetterkenny 19313C 262
−5.4%
11 23.27 32 3
S N Neill MorKillybegs 11843O 240
+29.0%
9 24.22 32 2
S N Naomh ColmchilleKilmacrennan 17036P 231
+1.8%
9 24.33 30 1
S N an Droim MorLifford 16349I 229
+9.0%
9 22.11 31 1
St Orans N SBuncrana 16789N 228
−4.2%
9 25.33 32 3
S N MhuireMilford 18151U 218
+26.0%
9 23.56 29 0
S N Naomh AonghusBridge End 19359D 218
+6.3%
8 25.00 30 1
Scoil Aodh Rua&nualaDonegal Town 19963S 217
−9.6%
10 20.10 26 0
S N Baile RaighinLetterkenny 19411C 215
−3.2%
9 23.22 29 0
Scoil EoghanMoville 20054L 212
−15.5%
9 23.56 32 2
SN an BR M O CleirighBallyshannon 17268N 211
+1.4%
8 26.38 28 0
Scoil MhuireRamelton 19491D 206
+12.6%
8 25.75 30 1
Scoil FhionáinAn Fál Carrach 17704H 204
+15.9%
8 23.88 29 0
Scoil Naomh FionanQuigley's Point 19959E 199
−20.4%
8 24.88 32 1
Scoil CholmcilleNewtowncunningham 16820E 199
−14.6%
8 24.88 32 1
Scoil Naomh BridLifford 19280N 196
−12.5%
8 24.50 32 3
Holy Family National SchoolBallyshannon 20150H 193
+45.1%
7 25.86 36 2
Scoil BhrideLifford 18737E 192
−2.0%
11 16.91 22 0
Dooish N SBallybofey 19333I 191
−10.7%
8 22.50 30 2
St Muras N SLifford 15627F 189
−12.5%
8 23.62 31 1
Scoil Naomh ColmchilleCarndonagh 16880W 186
+24.8%
7 26.57 30 1
Raphoe Central N SLifford 16138S 185
+0.5%
7 26.43 32 2
S N Seiseadh Ui NeillBallybofey 17607J 167
−20.1%
8 20.88 30 1
Scoil MhuireLetterkenny 18371L 166
+64.4%
7 22.86 26 0
Scoil Naomh PadraigCarndonagh 18605K 163
−1.2%
7 22.86 28 0
St Patricks N SLifford 16054M 162
−11.0%
6 26.00 31 3
St Francis NSBarnesmore 09660R 159
−7.0%
7 22.71 31 1
Scoil AdhamhnainRaphoe 17828C 158
−1.2%
6 25.50 28 0
Scoil MhuireGlenties 19912B 155
+33.6%
6 24.83 30 1
St Mary's National SchoolLifford 14910S 155
+1.3%
6 25.00 35 1
Scoil Treasa NaofaMalin 17721H 137
+69.1%
5 25.00 28 0
Scoil Eoin BaisteCarrigart 19252I 136
+7.1%
5 26.20 30 1
Scoil Naomh PeadarMountcharles 18129E 134
+69.6%
5 24.40 32 1
Scoil CholmcilleMoville 18791K 133
+23.1%
6 22.17 32 2
St Francis' National SchoolLifford 16642G 132
−5.7%
5 24.40 28 0
S N AdhamhnainLeitir Ceanainn 17503U 131
−6.4%
6 21.83 27 0
Scoil CholmcilleAn Tearmann 14194S 127
−9.3%
6 19.17 26 0
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire gan SmálLifford 18076J 124
+30.5%
6 20.67 33 1
Scoil Chroí Naofa, CarndomhnachCarndonagh 16821G 124
−24.4%
7 17.71 26 0
Naomh AdhamhnainLaghey 18508M 123
+115.8%
5 24.60 35 1
Glebe NSDonegal 17831O 121
+14.2%
5 24.20 28 0
Scoil PhadraigClonmany 18520C 121
−20.9%
5 24.20 28 0
Rathmullen N SRathmullen 15729N 119
+50.6%
5 23.80 27 0
Scoil Naomh ProinnseasManorcunningham 17729A 119
−2.5%
5 23.80 26 0
Scoil MhuireGleneely 18517N 118
+10.3%
5 23.60 32 1
Scoil PhádraigBallybofey 17057A 118
−5.6%
5 23.60 29 0
S N Naomh BaoithinLifford 19518U 113
−2.6%
5 20.20 27 0
S N Naomh NailleInbhear 15770K 113
+29.9%
5 22.60 32 1
Scoil Chartha NaofaChill Chartha 19685Q 111
−5.9%
5 20.20 26 0
Naomh BodainCuldaff 19614Q 108
+40.3%
4 27.00 31 1
SN ChonaillBun Beag 18219F 107
+52.9%
5 18.40 29 0
Scoil PhadraigLeitir Ceanainn 17018N 103
+15.7%
4 25.75 32 1
Comhscoil Chonmha S NConvoy 05230S 100
+28.2%
4 25.00 33 1
Scoil Mhuire B&CLeitir Ceanainn 14502D 97
−32.6%
5 19.40 24 0
S N na gCluainteClonmany 17180W 96
−19.3%
4 24.00 28 0
S N Muire gan SmalArdara 18131O 94
+108.9%
4 23.50 26 0
Scoil Naomh EarnanBallintra 19310T 94
−6.0%
4 23.50 27 0
Naomh BridhidCarndonagh 16836T 92
−9.8%
4 23.00 28 0
S N DhubhthaighLeitir Ceanainn 19343L 91
0.0%
5 18.20 21 0
Robertson N SStranorlar 18731P 89
+102.3%
4 22.25 28 0
S N Cnoc na NaomhLeitir Ceanainn 16671N 87
−20.2%
4 21.75 24 0
SN an Leinbh IosaLifford 17598L 84
+25.4%
4 21.00 23 0
SN Dun CeannfhaolaidhDunkineely 18421A 82
−23.4%
4 20.50 26 0
Moyle N SNewtowncunningham 19633U 81
−5.8%
4 20.25 26 0
S N Naomh ColmchilleManorcunningham 16995Q 81
+11.0%
4 20.25 26 0
Frosses N SFrosses 16375J 77
−16.3%
4 19.25 23 0
Scoil CholmchilleMalin 14631O 77
−20.6%
4 19.25 25 0
Scoil Naomh ChaitrionaBallyshannon 17945G 77
+24.2%
4 19.25 23 0
Gaelscoil Chois FeabhaillBun an Phobail 20144M 75
−1.3%
4 18.75 20 0
Killybegs Common N SKillybegs 16608G 75
−24.2%
4 18.75 34 1
S N Naomh EighneachBuncrannach 18114O 75
−27.2%
4 18.75 24 0
S N na hAcraiBurtonport 18286U 70
−23.1%
3 23.33 30 1
Scoil Naomh CholmcilleRamelton 18241V 68
−32.0%
3 22.67 25 0
St ConalsPortnoo 19756N 68
−27.7%
3 22.67 25 0
Gaelscoil Bhun CrannchaBun Cranncha 20097G 67
−63.0%
3 22.33 28 0
Robertson N SBallintra 13872I 67
+6.3%
3 22.33 25 0
S N Baile an CaisleanSt Johnston 18700E 66
+94.1%
3 22.00 23 0
S N Naomh BridLeitir Ceanainn 19228L 66
−7.0%
3 22.00 31 1
S N Naomh PadraigDrumfries 01572D 64
−17.9%
3 21.33 26 0
Scoil MhuireLeitir Ceanainn 18120J 64
+8.5%
3 21.33 22 0
Scoil an tStratha MhóirLeitir Ceanainn 15208I 64
−28.1%
3 21.33 28 0
S N Olibhear PluinceidAnagaire 18007N 61
−26.5%
3 20.33 22 0
S N na CarraigeAn Charraig 18611F 59
−38.5%
3 19.67 26 0
S N an ChaisealGleann Cholmcille 18652T 58
−12.1%
3 19.33 20 0
S N Gleann CoimheadBallybofey 17575W 57
−27.8%
3 19.00 20 0
Scoil Naomh MhuireMalin 18446Q 57
−14.9%
3 19.00 20 0
Gaelscoil na gCeithre MaistriBaile Dhún na nGall 20096E 55
−39.6%
3 18.33 23 0
S N TaodhbhogLeifearr 17553M 55
−5.2%
3 18.33 22 0
S N an ChoiminAn Clochán 17564R 54
−25.0%
3 18.00 22 0
S N Crannaighe BuidheArdara 17447N 54
+80.0%
3 18.00 22 0
Scoil MhuirePettigo 17837D 54
+1.9%
3 18.00 22 0
S N Ceathru CaolLetterkenny 17549V 53
−50.5%
3 17.67 26 0
Scoil Naomh Treasa CLifford 16108J 52
−5.5%
3 17.33 20 0
Ray N SManorcunningham 14941G 51
−19.0%
3 17.00 19 0
Scoil RoisinAn Clochán Liath 17328F 51
−16.4%
3 17.00 18 0
Murroe National SchoolDunfanaghy 14704P 50
+138.1%
3 14.67 15 0
Rockfield N SBallyshannon 09009Q 49
+14.0%
3 16.33 18 0
Browneknowe N SRamelton 07464H 48
−29.4%
3 16.00 19 0
Cranford N SLetterkenny 19009W 48
+26.3%
3 16.00 19 0
Monreagh N SCarrigans 07143K 48
0.0%
3 16.00 18 0
S N Baile an BhailsigBallybofey 18703K 47
+51.6%
2 23.50 24 0
Gleneely N SKillygordon 18172F 45
−53.6%
3 15.00 16 0
Scoil Naomh IósafBuncrana 01574H 45
−28.6%
3 15.00 16 0
Kilbarron N SBallyshannon 10595Q 44
+57.1%
3 14.67 18 0
S N Caiseal na gCorrLeitir Ceanainn 03294L 44
+7.3%
3 14.67 17 0
Scoil MhuireLetterkenny 18844F 42
−4.5%
2 21.00 22 0
S N an Iorball RiabaighMalin Head 07626H 40
−18.4%
2 20.00 25 0
S N Gort an ChoirceLeitir Ceanainn 16819T 40
−24.5%
2 16.50 17 0
SN Naomh SamhthannCastlefin 17040G 40
−52.4%
3 13.33 16 0
Min A Ghabhann N SDonegal 16823K 39
+62.5%
2 19.50 21 0
Scoil Cuilm CilleLifford 17469A 38
+5.6%
2 19.00 21 0
Scoil CholmcilleLeitir Ceanainn 18766L 37
−22.9%
2 18.50 21 0
Drumfad N SLetterkenny 16137Q 35
+25.0%
2 17.50 18 0
S N DonaighCarndonagh 18939Q 33
+17.9%
2 16.50 17 0
S N TriantaLetterkenny 18319J 33
+43.5%
2 16.50 22 0
S N na Croise NaofaLetterkenny 18710H 33
−5.7%
2 16.50 25 0
St Garvans N.S.Rathmullan 16850N 33
0.0%
2 16.50 19 0
Ayr Hill N S RameltonLetterkenny 18251B 32
+6.7%
2 16.00 18 0
Moville N SMoville 15763N 32
−33.3%
2 16.00 17 0
S N FotharLeitir Ceanainn 16903I 32
−20.0%
2 16.00 18 0
Creeslough N SLetterkenny 10062E 31
+10.7%
2 15.50 16 0
Scoil CholuimLetterkenny 16279N 30
+66.7%
2 15.00 18 0
Gaelscoil EirneBéal Átha Seannaigh 20167B 29
−61.8%
2 14.50 18 0
Cashelshanaghan N SLetterkenny 15170J 28
−17.6%
2 14.00 14 0
S N CholmcilleBaile Na Finne 19260H 28
−50.9%
2 14.00 16 0
S N GlasainCroasloch 16763S 28
−28.2%
3 9.33 12 0
Scoil BhrighdeLeitir Ceanainn 17822N 28
+12.0%
2 14.00 15 0
Scoil Naomh DubhthachGort a Choirce 17130H 27
−27.0%
2 13.50 16 0
St Davadogs N SLetterkenny 16471F 27
−22.9%
2 13.50 14 0
St Riaghans NSGlenties 17716O 26
−18.8%
2 13.00 15 0
St. Mura's National SchoolBuncrana 16854V 26
−23.5%
2 13.00 14 0
S N Loch an IubhairLeitir Ceanainn 16829W 25
−43.2%
2 10.50 13 0
Dunfanaghy N SDunfanaghy 18086M 24
−27.3%
2 12.00 14 0
S N an BhreacaighArd A Ratha 16869L 24
−36.8%
2 9.50 14 0
Scoil Naomh SeosamhLetterkenny 18058H 24
−35.1%
2 12.00 14 0
Killygordan N SLifford 18874O 22
−18.5%
2 11.00 12 0
S N Domhnach MorCastlefin 17241Q 22
−47.6%
2 11.00 14 0
Glenmaquin N SLetterkenny 09748I 21
+10.5%
2 10.50 12 0
S N Mhin Teineadh deArd an Rátha 17035N 21
−30.0%
2 10.50 11 0
SN Arainn Mhor IIArainn Mhór 16384K 21
+40.0%
2 10.50 13 0
Inver N SInver 16458N 20
−35.5%
2 10.00 11 0
Portlean N SLetterkenny 19235I 20
−23.1%
2 10.00 14 0
Gartan N SLetterkenny 13755E 19
+11.8%
2 9.50 11 0
Bruckless N SBruckless 16664Q 18
−33.3%
2 9.00 10 0
Scoil Naomh CholmcilleOileán Thoraí 05164I 18
+100.0%
2 9.00 11 0
Scoil Cholmcille NaofaCastlefin 17956L 17
−63.8%
2 8.50 11 0
Gortnacart N SArdara 15554E 16
−48.4%
2 8.00 9 0
S N Leitir Mhic an BhairdLettermacaward 15847T 16
−50.0%
2 8.00 11 0
S N Min an AoireCarrick 18295V 14
−33.3%
2 7.00 9 0
Scoil an Aingil ChoimheadaiLeitir Ceanainn 04809A 14
−61.1%
2 7.00 8 0
Glentogher Con N SCarndonagh 16611S 13
−61.8%
2 6.50 7 0
SN Arainn Mhor IArainn Mór 15955W 13
−48.0%
2 6.50 7 0
Ardara Mixed N SArdara 01733B 12
−42.9%
2 6.00 7 0
Killaghtee N SDunkineely 19089A 12
−57.1%
2 6.00 7 0
SN Eadan FhionnfhaoichNa Gleannta 17122I 10
−41.2%
2 5.00 6 0
S N Baile MorPortnablagh 18250W 7
−76.7%
2 3.50 5 0
S N Chill CoinnighGlenties 13563S 5
−82.8%
1 5.00 5 0
S N FhionntraKillybegs 16357H 5
−92.1%
2 2.50 3 0
S N DuchoraidhDuchoraidh 16837V 4
−78.9%
1 4.00 4 0