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Fearainn an Bhaile, Béal Átha Seannaigh, Co. Dhún na nGall · F94 KP62 · Roll number 20167B
Gaelscoil Eirne is one of 5 primary schools in or within 3 km of Ballyshannon. Every school in and around Ballyshannon →
What stands out about Gaelscoil Eirne
- A small primary school: 29 pupils, against a typical 131.
- Smaller than it was: 29 pupils, 40% fewer than the 48 of 2019/20.
- 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.
- The smallest of the 5 primary schools around Ballyshannon.
- 18 girls and 11 boys: more of one than the other.
- Its patron is An Foras Pátrúnachta; its ethos is inter-denominational.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Gaelscoil Eirne had 29 pupils in 2025/26, down from 76 in 2015/16 (−62%). Girls are 62% of them. Its roll rose in 2 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 Eirne
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 Eirne 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 Eirne
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 Eirne
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Gaelscoil Eirne 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.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Gaelscoil Eirne has shrunk by 40% since 2019/20. All the schools around Ballyshannon together changed by +8%.
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.
Each of the 6 nearest primary schools has more pupils than Gaelscoil Eirne. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −40%; 6 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaelscoil Eirne | 29 | −40% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | ✓ | |
| Scoil Naomh Chaitriona | 77 | +26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 0.4 km |
| Holy Family National School | 193 | +35% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 0.6 km |
| Kilbarron N.S. | 44 | +16% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 0.8 km |
| S.N. an Br M O Cleirigh | 211 | −2% | Catholic | English | 3 km | |
| Rockfield N.S. | 49 | +14% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 5.1 km |
| St Macartans Central | 276 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 6.7 km |
The other 164 primary schools in Co. Donegal
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robertson N.S. | 67 | +24% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 9.4 km |
| Scoil Naomh Earnan | 94 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 10 km |
| Naomh Adhamhnain | 123 | +62% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Peadar | 135 | +75% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistri | 55 | −38% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 17 km | |
| Glebe N.S. | 121 | +20% | Church of Ireland | English | 17 km | |
| Inver N.S. | 20 | −23% | Church of Ireland | English | 17 km | |
| Scoil Aodh Rua&Nuala | 219 | −8% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| S.N. Dun Ceannfhaolaidh | 82 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. Naomh Naille | 113 | +14% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Killaghtee N.S. | 12 | – | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| Frosses N.S. | 77 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Scoil an Linbh Íosa | 274 | +30% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Bruckless N.S. | 18 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| S.N. Neill Mor | 240 | +22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 22 km |
| St Francis N.S. | 159 | +2% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Killybegs Common N.S. | 75 | +7% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 54 | +20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 23 km |
| S.N. Fhionntra | 5 | −88% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Mhin Teineadh de | 21 | −9% | Catholic | All in Irish | 29 km | |
| Scoil Chartha Naofa | 111 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 30 km |
| St Riaghans N.S. | 26 | +18% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Gortnacart N.S. | 16 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. an Bhreacaigh | 24 | −31% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 31 km |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 94 | +36% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| S.N. Eadan Fhionnfhaoich | 10 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 32 km |
| Ardara Mixed N.S. | 12 | – | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 155 | +32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| S N na Carraige | 59 | −27% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 33 km |
| S.N. Min an Aoire | 14 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Crannaighe Buidhe | 54 | +54% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 35 km |
| S.N. Chill Coinnigh | 5 | −75% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| S.N. an Choimin | 54 | −30% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 38 km |
| Min A Ghabhann N.S. | 39 | +30% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| St Conals | 68 | −14% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| S.N. Leitir Mhic an Bhaird | 16 | −48% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 40 km |
| Dooish N.S. | 191 | −12% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Baile an Bhailsig | 47 | +68% | Church of Ireland | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Taodhbhog | 55 | +49% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 41 km |
| S.N. Seiseadh Ui Neill | 167 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 41 km |
| S.N. Cholmcille | 28 | −22% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 41 km |
| S.N. an Chaiseal | 58 | −17% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 41 km |
| S.N. Gleann Coimhead | 57 | −34% | Catholic | English | 42 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B & C | 489 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| Robertson N.S. | 89 | +35% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| Gleneely N.S. | 45 | −33% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| S.N. Duchoraidh | 4 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 45 km |
| S.N. an Droim Mor | 229 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| Killygordan N.S. | 22 | +5% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 46 km |
| S.N. Domhnach Mor | 22 | −51% | Presbyterian | English | ✓ | 48 km |
| Scoil Phádraig | 118 | −6% | Catholic | English | 49 km | |
| Scoil Roisin | 51 | −14% | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 50 km |
| SN Naomh Samhthann | 40 | −32% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| Scoil Chróine | 265 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 51 km |
| St Mary's National School | 155 | +25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 51 km |
| Scoil Bhride | 192 | −3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Comhscoil Chonmha S.N. | 100 | +11% | Church of Ireland | English | 52 km | |
| Glenswilly N.S. | 262 | −4% | Catholic | English | 53 km | |
| Scoil an tStratha Mhóir | 64 | −25% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 53 km |
| Scoil Cholmcille Naofa | 17 | −62% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| Scoil Cuilm Cille | 38 | +6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| S N na hAcrai | 70 | +1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| Scoil Adhamhnain | 158 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 55 km |
| Glenmaquin N.S. | 21 | −9% | Presbyterian | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| S.N. Loch an Iubhair | 25 | −32% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 56 km |
| Raphoe Central N.S. | 185 | −6% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 56 km |
| S.N. Arainn Mhor II | 21 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 56 km |
| Scoil an Aingil Choimheadai | 14 | −52% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 57 km |
| S.N. Arainn Mhor I | 13 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 57 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 426 | −6% | Catholic | English | 57 km | |
| Scoil Choilmcille | 659 | +82% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 57 km |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 480 | +11% | Catholic | English | 58 km | |
| Gaelscoil Adhamhnain | 410 | −12% | Catholic | All in Irish | 58 km | |
| Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál | 124 | +19% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| S.N. Dhubhthaigh | 91 | −11% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 58 km |
| St Patricks N.S. | 162 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 58 km |
| S.N. Baile Raighin | 215 | −9% | Church of Ireland | English | 58 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 42 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| Gartan N.S. | 19 | – | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| S.N. Trianta | 33 | +3% | Presbyterian | English | 59 km | |
| Scoil Phadraig | 103 | +27% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 59 km |
| Letterkenny Educate Together NS | 420 | +43% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| Scoil Naomh Seosamh | 24 | −23% | Catholic | English | 60 km | |
| S.N. Olibhear Pluinceid | 61 | −29% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 60 km |
| Ray N.S. | 51 | −20% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 61 km |
| S.N. Naomh Colmchille | 81 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 61 km |
| Scoil Naomh Fiachra | 519 | −6% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| S N Talamh na Coille | 467 | −2% | Catholic | English | 62 km | |
| S.N. Chonaill | 107 | +23% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 62 km |
| Scoil Naomh Proinnseas | 119 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 64 km |
| S.N. Naomh Colmchille | 231 | +19% | Catholic | English | 64 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B&C | 97 | −16% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 64 km |
| S.N. Baile an Caislean | 66 | +38% | Presbyterian | English | ✓ | 65 km |
| Cashelshanaghan N.S. | 28 | +4% | Presbyterian | English | 65 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 127 | +1% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| S N Caiseal na gCorr | 44 | +2% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 65 km |
| S.N. Adhamhnain | 131 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 66 km |
| S.N. Naomh Baoithin | 113 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| Scoil Naomh Cholmcille | 68 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 67 km |
| S.N. Glasain | 28 | +4% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 68 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 206 | +14% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 68 km |
| Portlean N.S. | 20 | −17% | Presbyterian | English | 68 km | |
| S.N. Gort an Choirce | 40 | +0% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 69 km |
| Ayr Hill N.S. Ramelton | 32 | – | Presbyterian | English | 69 km | |
| Monreagh N.S. | 48 | +2% | Presbyterian | English | ✓ | 69 km |
| S.N. an Leinbh Iosa | 84 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 69 km |
| Moyle N.S. | 81 | −7% | Presbyterian | English | 69 km | |
| S N Cnoc na Naomh | 87 | −3% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 70 km |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 199 | −13% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 70 km |
| Scoil Fhionáin | 204 | +20% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 71 km |
| Scoil Bhrighde | 28 | −7% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 71 km |
| Creeslough N.S. | 31 | +11% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 71 km |
| Scoil Naomh Dubhthach | 27 | −29% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 71 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 166 | +30% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 71 km |
| Browneknowe N.S. | 48 | −28% | Presbyterian | English | 72 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire | 218 | +25% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 72 km |
| Murroe National School | 50 | +85% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 73 km |
| S.N. Baile Mor | 7 | – | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 75 km |
| S.N. Fothar | 32 | −18% | Catholic | English | 76 km | |
| S N na Croise Naofa | 33 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 77 km |
| Dunfanaghy N.S. | 24 | −14% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 77 km |
| Cranford N.S. | 48 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 77 km |
| Rathmullen N.S. | 119 | +24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 78 km |
| Scoil Eoin Baiste | 136 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 78 km |
| S.N. Ceathru Caol | 53 | −47% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 78 km |
| S.N. Naomh Aonghus | 218 | +6% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| St Muras N.S. | 189 | −12% | Catholic | English | 79 km | |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 37 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 79 km |
| S.N. Naomh Brid | 66 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 80 km |
| St Garvans N.S. | 33 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 81 km |
| Scoil Choluim | 30 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 82 km |
| Drumfad N.S. | 35 | +3% | Presbyterian | English | ✓ | 83 km |
| St Davadogs N.S. | 27 | −16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 84 km |
| Scoil Iosagain | 779 | +0% | Catholic | English | 84 km | |
| St. Mura's National School | 26 | +0% | Church of Ireland | English | 84 km | |
| Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha | 67 | −48% | Inter-denominational | All in Irish | 85 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Cholmcille | 18 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 85 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 64 | +8% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 86 km |
| St Orans N.S. | 228 | +8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 86 km |
| Scoil Naomh Brid | 196 | −1% | Catholic | English | 87 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Eighneach | 75 | −26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 87 km |
| Scoil Naomh Iósaf | 45 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 90 km |
| S.N. Naomh Padraig | 64 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 93 km |
| Scoil Naomh Treasa C | 52 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 96 km |
| Scoil Naomh Fionan | 199 | −12% | Catholic | English | 96 km | |
| S N na gCluainte | 96 | −8% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 98 km |
| St Francis' National School | 132 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 98 km |
| Glentogher Con N.S. | 13 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 99 km |
| S.N. Donaigh | 33 | +6% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 101 km |
| Scoil Chroí Naofa, Carndomhnach | 124 | −7% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 102 km |
| Scoil Phadraig | 121 | −16% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 102 km |
| Scoil Naomh Padraig | 163 | +14% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 102 km |
| Scoil Naomh Colmchille | 186 | +11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 102 km |
| Naomh Bridhid | 92 | −12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 102 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 118 | −4% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 106 km |
| Scoil Eoghan | 212 | −15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 106 km |
| Moville N.S. | 32 | −41% | Church of Ireland | English | 106 km | |
| Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill | 75 | −7% | Catholic | All in Irish | 106 km | |
| Scoil Treasa Naofa | 137 | +40% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 107 km |
| Naomh Bodain | 108 | +44% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 109 km |
| S.N. an Iorball Riabaigh | 40 | −17% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 109 km |
| Scoil Cholmcille | 133 | +8% | Catholic | English | 110 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Mhuire | 57 | −22% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 110 km |
| Scoil Cholmchille | 77 | −10% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 111 km |
Living in Ballyshannon
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the F94 Eircode area
Housing in Ballyshannon →The median sale price rose from €185,000 in 2023 to €195,000 in 2025 (+5%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the F94 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Co. Donegal
Cost of living in Ballyshannon →New tenancies in Co. Donegal averaged €977 a month in 2025, against €893 in 2024 (+9%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗














Ballyshannon, F94 KP62
Primary schools near Gaelscoil Eirne
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Gaelscoil Eirne
Is Gaelscoil Eirne 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 Eirne have?
29 pupils in 2025/26. That is −40% since 2019/20.
Does Gaelscoil Eirne teach through Irish?
Yes: every subject at Gaelscoil Eirne is taught through Irish.
Who runs Gaelscoil Eirne?
Gaelscoil Eirne has a inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is An Foras Pátrúnachta.
How do pupils get a place at Gaelscoil Eirne?
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 Eirne?
The nearest are Scoil Naomh Chaitriona (0.4 km), Holy Family National School (0.6 km) and Kilbarron N.S. (0.8 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 Ballyshannon; 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).