Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
Bóthar Linne, Sionna, Co An Chláir · V14 AY84 · Roll number 19849U
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua is one of 8 primary schools in or within 3 km of Shannon. Every school in and around Shannon →
What stands out about Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
- 68 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (+3%).
- Every subject is taught through Irish.
- In DEIS. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) gives schools serving disadvantaged areas more teachers, money and support; the Department decides which schools are in it.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Killaloe; its ethos is Catholic.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Gaelscoil Donncha Rua had 68 pupils in 2025/26, against 65 in 2015/16 (+5%). Girls are 51% of them. Its largest roll was 77, in 2018/19. Its roll rose in 6 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing schools by them, so this school has no letter and nothing here ranks it. Its facts are the Department of Education’s; its inspection reports are linked below.
What the Department of Education does publish for Gaelscoil Donncha Rua is on this page: its pupils each September since 2015/16, girls and boys, its patron and ethos, whether it teaches through Irish, whether it is in DEIS, and its inspection reports.
Newspapers print lists of how many of a school’s leavers go on to college. Those count destinations, not exam results, and depend on who a school takes in; we don’t use them.
Inspection reports on Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate visits schools and publishes its reports. The reports describe what inspectors saw; they give no overall grade, and we don’t make one. Reports for this school on gov.ie ↗
Inspectors visit every kind of school. Whole-school evaluations look at teaching and learning, leadership and management; subject inspections look at one subject; follow-through inspections check whether earlier advice was taken. Each report is published on gov.ie with the school’s response.
Getting a place at Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua directly. Children can start once they are four and must be in school by six; the school’s yearly admission notice gives the dates for applying and for its decisions.
A school with more applicants than places admits on the criteria in its admission policy, often brothers and sisters, the area it serves and, for post-primary schools, its feeder primaries. A family refused a place can appeal.
It teaches every subject through Irish. It is in DEIS, so it has extra support for pupils from disadvantaged areas. Places in special classes and special schools are allocated with the National Council for Special Education.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Gaelscoil Donncha Rua is about the size it was in 2019/20 (+3%). All the schools around Shannon together changed by +7%.
Pupils since 2019/20
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).
Side by side with the nearest primary schools
2025/26The nearest schools of the same kind, as the crow flies: their pupils, ethos and language. No results: none are published.
Of the 6 nearest primary schools, 5 have more pupils than Gaelscoil Donncha Rua. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +3%; 1 of the 5 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaelscoil Donncha Rua | 68 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | |
| St Conaires N.S. | 338 | −19% | Catholic | English | 0.4 km | |
| Naomh Tola | 218 | −4% | Catholic | English | 0.7 km | |
| St Aidans N.S. | 260 | +3% | Catholic | English | 1 km | |
| Shannon Airport 1 N.S. | 113 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 1.2 km |
| Shannon Airport No 2 NS | 51 | – | Church of Ireland | English | 1.4 km | |
| S.N. Cluain Muinge | 205 | +16% | Catholic | English | 3 km |
The other 102 primary schools in Co. Clare
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonehall N.S. | 101 | −11% | Catholic | English | 3.1 km | |
| Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire | 238 | −1% | Catholic | English | 6.6 km | |
| Ballycar N.S. | 34 | +13% | Catholic | English | 7.1 km | |
| Sixmilebridge N.S. | 423 | −21% | Catholic | English | 7.8 km | |
| Cratloe N.S. | 278 | −2% | Catholic | English | 8.2 km | |
| S.N. Cill Muire | 65 | −32% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Scoil na Mainistreach Quin Dangan | 331 | +14% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| S N Baile na Cailli | 52 | −5% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. Dubh Rath | 113 | +28% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Ballyea Mixed N.S. | 212 | +2% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire Miliuc | 84 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Clarecastle National School | 362 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 14 km |
| Kilkishen N.S. | 134 | +2% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Kildysart N.S. | 122 | −9% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Ennis N.S. | 615 | −4% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| S N Chathair Aodha | 27 | −41% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Cluain Draigneach | 5 | – | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Holy Family Snr | 306 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| Holy Family Junior School | 167 | +15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 17 km |
| S.N. Cnoc an Ein | 262 | −8% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Bunscoil na mBraithre | 643 | −4% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Chriost Ri | 226 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. an Phairtin Mixed | 317 | −3% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Inch N.S. | 104 | +13% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Gael Sc Mhichil Chiosog | 451 | −4% | Catholic | All in Irish | 18 km | |
| Clooney N.S. | 48 | −41% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Ennis Educate Together NS | 144 | +125% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| St Mochullas N.S. | 259 | −2% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Broadford & Kilbane National School | 136 | +16% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Kilmaley N.S. | 88 | −18% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| O Callaghans Mills N.S. | 29 | −52% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Lissycasey N.S. | 167 | −7% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Barefield Mixed N.S. | 390 | +1% | Catholic | English | 21 km | |
| Scoil Seanain Naofa | 276 | −12% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Kilnamona N.S. | 85 | −21% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Toonagh N.S. | 75 | −27% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Coolmeen N.S. | 20 | – | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| SN na Crannaighe | 32 | – | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| S.N. Baile an Droichid | 107 | +2% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Connolly N.S. | 27 | −36% | Catholic | English | 25 km | |
| Inchicronan Central N.S. | 158 | +10% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Ruan Central N.S. | 75 | −29% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| Labasheeda Central N.S. | 30 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Bodyke N.S. | 27 | −13% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Eidhneach N.S. | 150 | −1% | Catholic | English | 28 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 68 | +11% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire Naisiunta | 102 | −11% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Kilmurry McMahon National School | 63 | −6% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Kilmihil N.S. | 96 | +0% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| Killaloe Boys N.S. | 104 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Tomgraney N.S. | 47 | −27% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Mercy Convent Killaloe | 97 | −16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Scoil Mhichil | 66 | +43% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Tubber N.S. | 40 | +67% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Raheen Wood Community National School | 102 | +10% | Multi-denominational | English | 32 km | |
| S.N. Cluain an Atha | 19 | −37% | Catholic | English | 32 km | |
| Kilnaboy N.S. | 80 | −5% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Scariff Central N.S. | 142 | +1% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Ogonnelloe National School | 101 | −11% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Burrane N.S. | 17 | −39% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Dromindoora N.S. | 23 | −43% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Coore National School | 30 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 34 km |
| S.N. Colm Cille | 58 | +16% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Flagmount Central N.S. | 35 | +21% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Forgleann N.S. | 7 | −68% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Cnoc Doire | 17 | −48% | Catholic | English | 35 km | |
| Boston N.S. | 24 | −29% | Catholic | English | 36 km | |
| Rockmount Mixed N.S. | 23 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 36 km |
| Cooraclare B N.S. | 78 | −20% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| S N Iosef Naofa | 29 | −15% | Catholic | All in Irish | 38 km | |
| St. Josephs National School Cree | 38 | – | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| Mullach N.S. | 53 | +10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Ennistymon National School | 64 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Mol an Óige Community National School | 158 | +46% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Annagh N.S. | 81 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. Inis Cealtrach | 71 | +8% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Miltown Malbay B N.S. | 128 | +20% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| St Fachnan & St Attractas N.S. | 57 | +12% | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| S.N. Cronain Nfa an Carn | 15 | – | Catholic | English | 39 km | |
| Saint Marys N.S. Lahinch | 166 | +26% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Rineen N.S. | 35 | −19% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Quilty N.S. | 49 | +81% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| Clohanes N.S. | 22 | −24% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| Scoil an Sraith S.N. | 15 | −25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 42 km |
| Gaelscoil Ui Choimin | 61 | −5% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 42 km |
| Convent of Mercy National School | 329 | +7% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 42 km |
| S.N. Aibhistin Naofa | 21 | −30% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| S.N. Liosceanuir | 105 | +46% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Doonbeg N.S. | 63 | +13% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| Lakyle N.S. | 47 | −41% | Catholic | English | 44 km | |
| S.N. Ma Sheasta | 37 | −30% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Lisdoonvarna N.S. | 143 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| Doolin Mixed N.S. | 93 | −5% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| Bansha N.S. | 7 | −78% | Catholic | English | 48 km | |
| S.N. Eoin Baiste | 42 | +40% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| New Quay N.S. | 31 | +29% | Catholic | English | 51 km | |
| Scoil Realt na Mara | 134 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Doonaha N.S. | 21 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 53 km |
| S.N. Padraig Nfa Fanoir | 25 | −14% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| Moveen N.S. | 39 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| Carrigaholt Mixed N.S. | 30 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 57 km |
| S.N. Cuan | 19 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 68 km |
Living in Shannon
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the V14 Eircode area
Housing in Shannon →The median sale price rose from €206,000 in 2023 to €272,500 in 2025 (+32%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the V14 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Shannon
Cost of living in Shannon →New tenancies in Shannon averaged €1,229 a month in 2025, against €1,130 in 2024 (+9%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Shannon, V14 AY84
Primary schools near Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Gaelscoil Donncha Rua
Is Gaelscoil Donncha Rua a good school?
We don’t grade it: Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them. Its inspection reports on gov.ie, a visit and a talk with the principal will tell you more than any table could.
How many pupils does Gaelscoil Donncha Rua have?
68 pupils in 2025/26. That is +3% since 2019/20.
Does Gaelscoil Donncha Rua teach through Irish?
Yes: every subject at Gaelscoil Donncha Rua is taught through Irish.
Who runs Gaelscoil Donncha Rua?
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Killaloe.
How do pupils get a place at Gaelscoil Donncha Rua?
Apply to the school directly. It publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice with its dates; if more children apply than it has places, it admits on the criteria in its policy.
Which schools of the same kind are near Gaelscoil Donncha Rua?
The nearest are St Conaires N.S. (0.4 km), Naomh Tola (0.7 km) and St Aidans N.S. (1 km).
Sources: Department of Education, school lists 2025/26 (preliminary) and enrolments since 2015/16, CC BY 4.0 · inspection reports on gov.ie, linked by roll number. Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Facts from the Department of Education’s school lists. Listed with Shannon; nothing here rates the school.
Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).