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S.N. Muire Gan Smal

PrimaryCatholicDEIS

Hillhead, Ardara, Co. Donegal · F94 X348 · Roll number 18131O

S.N. Muire Gan Smal is one of 5 primary schools in or within 3 km of Ardara. Every school in and around Ardara →

Directions
Pupils
94
September, 2025/26
55 girls, 39 boys
Since 2019/20
+36%
from 69 pupils
Ireland: +5%
Ethos
Catholic
Patron: Bishop of Raphoe
Language
English
outside the Gaeltacht
Results
Not published
none school by school (Education Act 1998, s.53)
The gist

What stands out about S.N. Muire Gan Smal

  • 94 pupils, near the middle for primary schools in Ireland (the median is 131).
  • Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
  • Growing: 94 pupils, 36% more than the 69 of 2019/20.
  • 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.
  • The largest of the 5 primary schools around Ardara.
  • Its patron is the Bishop of Raphoe; its ethos is Catholic.

Pupils over time

2015/16 to 2025/26

S.N. Muire Gan Smal had 94 pupils in 2025/26, against 45 in 2015/16 (+109%). Girls are 59% of them. Its roll rose in 7 of the 10 years.

03060901202015/162018/192021/222025/26PupilsGirls

Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.

No letter

No letter for S.N. Muire Gan Smal

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 S.N. Muire Gan Smal 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.

Inspections

Inspection reports on S.N. Muire Gan Smal

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 in

Getting a place at S.N. Muire Gan Smal

Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.

Families apply to S.N. Muire Gan Smal 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 is in DEIS, so it has extra support for pupils from disadvantaged areas.

Pupils
94
September, 2025/26
Since 2019/20
+36%
from 69 pupils

No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: S.N. Muire Gan Smal has grown by 36% since 2019/20. All the schools around Ardara together changed by +5%.

Pupils since 2019/20

S.N. Muire Gan Smal+36%
The primary schools around Ardara+9%
All Irish primary schools−5%

Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).

Side by side with the nearest primary schools

2025/26

The nearest schools of the same kind, as the crow flies: their pupils, ethos and language. No results: none are published.

S.N. Muire Gan Smal has more pupils than any of the 6 nearest primary schools. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by +36%; 1 of the 4 grew faster.

S.N. Muire Gan Smal94
Ardara Mixed12
S.N. an Bhreacaigh24
Gortnacart16
S.N. Mhin Teineadh de21
S.N. Crannaighe Buidhe54
St Riaghans26
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
S.N. Muire Gan Smal94+36%CatholicEnglish✓
Ardara Mixed N.S.12–Church of IrelandEnglish✓0.3 km
S.N. an Bhreacaigh24−31%CatholicAll in Irish✓2.6 km
Gortnacart N.S.16–CatholicEnglish✓2.6 km
S.N. Mhin Teineadh de21−9%CatholicAll in Irish3.9 km
S.N. Crannaighe Buidhe54+54%CatholicEnglish✓4.7 km
St Riaghans N.S.26+18%CatholicEnglish✓5.4 km
The other 164 primary schools in Co. Donegal
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
St Conals68−14%CatholicEnglish✓7.5 km
S.N. Chill Coinnigh5−75%CatholicEnglish✓8.4 km
Scoil Mhuire155+32%CatholicEnglish✓8.9 km
Min A Ghabhann N.S.39+30%CatholicEnglish✓11 km
Killybegs Common N.S.75+7%CatholicEnglish✓12 km
S.N. Leitir Mhic an Bhaird16−48%CatholicEnglish✓12 km
Bruckless N.S.18–CatholicEnglish✓14 km
S.N. Neill Mor240+22%CatholicEnglish✓14 km
S.N. Min an Aoire14–CatholicAll in Irish✓15 km
S.N. Naomh Naille113+14%CatholicEnglish15 km
S.N. Fhionntra5−88%CatholicEnglish15 km
Killaghtee N.S.12–Church of IrelandEnglish✓15 km
Frosses N.S.77−11%CatholicEnglish✓15 km
S.N. Dun Ceannfhaolaidh82−12%CatholicEnglish✓15 km
Inver N.S.20−23%Church of IrelandEnglish15 km
S.N. Eadan Fhionnfhaoich10–CatholicAll in Irish✓16 km
Scoil Chartha Naofa111+3%CatholicAll in Irish✓18 km
S N na Carraige59−27%CatholicAll in Irish✓19 km
Scoil Roisin51−14%CatholicSome subjects in Irish✓19 km
Scoil Naomh Peadar135+75%CatholicEnglish19 km
S.N. Duchoraidh4–CatholicAll in Irish✓20 km
Scoil Chróine265−5%CatholicEnglish✓21 km
S.N. an Chaiseal58−17%CatholicAll in Irish✓21 km
S.N. Cholmcille28−22%CatholicAll in Irish✓22 km
Scoil an Linbh Íosa274+30%CatholicEnglish22 km
Glebe N.S.121+20%Church of IrelandEnglish23 km
Scoil Aodh Rua&Nuala219−8%CatholicEnglish23 km
Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistri55−38%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish24 km
S N na hAcrai70+1%CatholicEnglish✓24 km
S.N. Arainn Mhor II21–CatholicAll in Irish✓24 km
S.N. Arainn Mhor I13–CatholicAll in Irish✓25 km
St Francis N.S.159+2%CatholicEnglish26 km
Scoil an Aingil Choimheadai14−52%CatholicAll in Irish✓26 km
Naomh Adhamhnain123+62%CatholicEnglish26 km
Scoil Naomh Earnan94+0%CatholicEnglish✓27 km
Robertson N.S.67+24%Church of IrelandEnglish✓27 km
S.N. Loch an Iubhair25−32%CatholicAll in Irish✓28 km
Scoil Mhuire42+8%CatholicEnglish✓28 km
S.N. an Choimin54−30%CatholicAll in Irish✓29 km
S.N. Dhubhthaigh91−11%CatholicAll in Irish✓29 km
S.N. an Br M O Cleirigh211−2%CatholicEnglish29 km
S.N. Olibhear Pluinceid61−29%CatholicAll in Irish✓31 km
S.N. Taodhbhog55+49%CatholicAll in Irish✓32 km
Scoil Phadraig103+27%CatholicAll in Irish✓32 km
Gaelscoil Eirne29−40%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish✓32 km
Scoil Naomh Chaitriona77+26%CatholicEnglish✓33 km
Holy Family National School193+35%CatholicEnglish✓33 km
Kilbarron N.S.44+16%Church of IrelandEnglish✓33 km
St Macartans Central276−1%CatholicEnglish✓33 km
S.N. Chonaill107+23%CatholicAll in Irish✓34 km
S.N. Baile an Bhailsig47+68%Church of IrelandEnglish35 km
Scoil Mhuire B&C97−16%CatholicAll in Irish✓36 km
Scoil an tStratha Mhóir64−25%CatholicAll in Irish✓36 km
Rockfield N.S.49+14%CatholicEnglish✓36 km
Dooish N.S.191−12%CatholicEnglish36 km
S.N. Adhamhnain131−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓38 km
S.N. Seiseadh Ui Neill167−6%CatholicEnglish✓40 km
S N Caiseal na gCorr44+2%CatholicAll in Irish✓40 km
Glenswilly N.S.262−4%CatholicEnglish40 km
S.N. Gleann Coimhead57−34%CatholicEnglish41 km
Scoil Mhuire B & C489+8%CatholicEnglish✓42 km
Robertson N.S.89+35%Church of IrelandEnglish✓42 km
Gartan N.S.19–Church of IrelandEnglish✓42 km
S N Cnoc na Naomh87−3%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
Scoil Phádraig118−6%CatholicEnglish43 km
S.N. Gort an Choirce40+0%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
Scoil Bhrighde28−7%CatholicAll in Irish✓43 km
Scoil Mhuire54+20%CatholicEnglish✓44 km
S.N. Trianta33+3%PresbyterianEnglish45 km
Scoil Naomh Dubhthach27−29%CatholicAll in Irish✓45 km
Scoil Naomh Seosamh24−23%CatholicEnglish46 km
Scoil Fhionáin204+20%CatholicAll in Irish✓46 km
Gleneely N.S.45−33%CatholicEnglish✓46 km
Killygordan N.S.22+5%Church of IrelandEnglish✓46 km
S.N. an Droim Mor229−1%CatholicEnglish✓46 km
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain410−12%CatholicAll in Irish47 km
Scoil Choilmcille659+82%CatholicEnglish✓47 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal480+11%CatholicEnglish47 km
S.N. Glasain28+4%CatholicAll in Irish✓48 km
Scoil Bhride192−3%CatholicEnglish✓48 km
Scoil Cholmcille127+1%CatholicAll in Irish✓48 km
Comhscoil Chonmha S.N.100+11%Church of IrelandEnglish49 km
S.N. Baile Raighin215−9%Church of IrelandEnglish49 km
St Patricks N.S.426−6%CatholicEnglish49 km
S.N. Domhnach Mor22−51%PresbyterianEnglish✓49 km
S.N. Naomh Colmchille231+19%CatholicEnglish50 km
Letterkenny Educate Together NS420+43%Multi-denominationalEnglish✓50 km
Glenmaquin N.S.21−9%PresbyterianEnglish✓50 km
Murroe National School50+85%CatholicEnglish✓50 km
Scoil Naomh Fiachra519−6%CatholicEnglish50 km
Scoil Mhuire166+30%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
Creeslough N.S.31+11%Church of IrelandEnglish✓51 km
St Mary's National School155+25%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
S N Talamh na Coille467−2%CatholicEnglish52 km
Scoil Adhamhnain158+3%CatholicEnglish✓53 km
Raphoe Central N.S.185−6%Church of IrelandEnglish✓53 km
SN Naomh Samhthann40−32%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
S.N. Baile Mor7–Church of IrelandEnglish✓54 km
S N na Croise Naofa33−21%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Dunfanaghy N.S.24−14%Church of IrelandEnglish✓54 km
Ray N.S.51−20%Church of IrelandEnglish✓54 km
Portlean N.S.20−17%PresbyterianEnglish54 km
S.N. Fothar32−18%CatholicEnglish54 km
Cashelshanaghan N.S.28+4%PresbyterianEnglish54 km
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille68−12%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Scoil Cuilm Cille38+6%CatholicEnglish✓55 km
S.N. Naomh Colmchille81−4%CatholicEnglish✓55 km
Scoil Naomh Proinnseas119−6%CatholicEnglish✓56 km
Scoil Cholmcille Naofa17−62%CatholicEnglish✓56 km
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille18–CatholicAll in Irish✓57 km
Scoil Mhuire206+14%CatholicEnglish✓57 km
Ayr Hill N.S. Ramelton32–PresbyterianEnglish57 km
S.N. Mhuire218+25%CatholicEnglish✓58 km
St Patricks N.S.162−6%CatholicEnglish✓59 km
Scoil Eoin Baiste136−4%CatholicEnglish✓59 km
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál124+19%CatholicEnglish✓59 km
Browneknowe N.S.48−28%PresbyterianEnglish60 km
S.N. Naomh Brid66−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓61 km
S.N. Baile an Caislean66+38%PresbyterianEnglish✓61 km
Cranford N.S.48+0%CatholicEnglish✓62 km
Moyle N.S.81−7%PresbyterianEnglish62 km
Scoil Cholmcille37−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓62 km
Scoil Cholmcille199−13%CatholicEnglish✓63 km
S.N. Ceathru Caol53−47%CatholicEnglish✓63 km
S.N. Naomh Baoithin113+3%CatholicEnglish✓63 km
Monreagh N.S.48+2%PresbyterianEnglish✓64 km
Scoil Choluim30–CatholicEnglish✓65 km
S.N. an Leinbh Iosa84+12%CatholicEnglish✓65 km
Rathmullen N.S.119+24%CatholicEnglish✓66 km
St Davadogs N.S.27−16%CatholicEnglish✓67 km
Drumfad N.S.35+3%PresbyterianEnglish✓67 km
Scoil Mhuire64+8%CatholicAll in Irish✓68 km
St Garvans N.S.33+3%CatholicEnglish✓68 km
St Muras N.S.189−12%CatholicEnglish71 km
S.N. Naomh Aonghus218+6%CatholicEnglish72 km
Scoil Iosagain779+0%CatholicEnglish73 km
St. Mura's National School26+0%Church of IrelandEnglish73 km
Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha67−48%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish73 km
S.N. Naomh Eighneach75−26%CatholicEnglish✓74 km
St Orans N.S.228+8%CatholicEnglish✓75 km
Scoil Naomh Iósaf45−10%CatholicEnglish✓80 km
Scoil Naomh Brid196−1%CatholicEnglish80 km
Scoil Naomh Treasa C52−9%CatholicEnglish✓81 km
S.N. Naomh Padraig64+0%CatholicEnglish✓81 km
St Francis' National School132+11%CatholicEnglish✓84 km
S N na gCluainte96−8%CatholicEnglish✓85 km
Scoil Phadraig121−16%CatholicEnglish✓88 km
Glentogher Con N.S.13–CatholicEnglish✓89 km
Scoil Naomh Fionan199−12%CatholicEnglish89 km
S.N. Donaigh33+6%Church of IrelandEnglish✓89 km
Naomh Bridhid92−12%CatholicEnglish✓90 km
Scoil Chroí Naofa, Carndomhnach124−7%CatholicEnglish✓90 km
Scoil Naomh Padraig163+14%CatholicEnglish✓91 km
Scoil Naomh Colmchille186+11%CatholicEnglish✓92 km
Scoil Treasa Naofa137+40%CatholicEnglish✓94 km
Scoil Naomh Mhuire57−22%CatholicEnglish✓95 km
S.N. an Iorball Riabaigh40−17%CatholicEnglish✓95 km
Scoil Mhuire118−4%CatholicEnglish✓96 km
Naomh Bodain108+44%CatholicEnglish✓98 km
Scoil Eoghan212−15%CatholicEnglish✓99 km
Moville N.S.32−41%Church of IrelandEnglish99 km
Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill75−7%CatholicAll in Irish100 km
Scoil Cholmchille77−10%CatholicEnglish✓100 km
Scoil Cholmcille133+8%CatholicEnglish103 km
Living nearby

Living in Ardara

The town’s figures, not this street’s.

Median sale price
€165,000
60 sales, 2023–25, Property Price Register
Average rent
€977
a month, new tenancies in 2025 across Co. Donegal

Homes in the F94 Eircode area

Housing in Ardara →

The median sale price rose from €185,000 in 2023 to €195,000 in 2025 (+5%).

2023€185,000
2024€195,000
2025€195,000

New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025

New homes€301,700
Second-hand homes€179,500

Property Price Register sales in the F94 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.

Renting in Co. Donegal

Cost of living in Ardara →

New tenancies in Co. Donegal averaged €977 a month in 2025, against €893 in 2024 (+9%).

2024€893
2025€977

Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.

Location

Directions ↗

Ardara, F94 X348

Nearby

Primary schools near S.N. Muire Gan Smal

Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.

Ardara Mixed N.S.
Primary · Church of Ireland
DEIS
12 pupils0.3 km
S.N. an Bhreacaigh
Primary · Catholic
Gaeltacht schoolDEISSpecial classes
24 pupils−31% since 2019/202.6 km
Gortnacart N.S.
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
16 pupils2.6 km
S.N. Mhin Teineadh de
Primary · Catholic
Gaeltacht school
21 pupils−9% since 2019/203.9 km
S.N. Crannaighe Buidhe
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
54 pupils+54% since 2019/204.7 km
St Riaghans N.S.
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
26 pupils+18% since 2019/205.4 km
Official recordInspection reports (gov.ie) ↗Department of Education school lists ↗Roll number 18131O

Questions about S.N. Muire Gan Smal

Is S.N. Muire Gan Smal 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 S.N. Muire Gan Smal have?

94 pupils in 2025/26. That is +36% since 2019/20.

Does S.N. Muire Gan Smal teach through Irish?

No: S.N. Muire Gan Smal teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.

Who runs S.N. Muire Gan Smal?

S.N. Muire Gan Smal has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Raphoe.

How do pupils get a place at S.N. Muire Gan Smal?

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 S.N. Muire Gan Smal?

The nearest are Ardara Mixed N.S. (0.3 km), S.N. an Bhreacaigh (2.6 km) and Gortnacart N.S. (2.6 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 Ardara; 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).