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Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

PrimaryCatholicDEIS

Ballylast, Castlefin, Co. Donegal · F93 NC84 · Roll number 17956L

Scoil Cholmcille Naofa is one of 4 primary schools in or within 3 km of Castlefinn. Every school in and around Castlefinn →

Directions
Pupils
17
September, 2025/26
10 girls, 7 boys
Since 2019/20
−62%
from 45 pupils
Ireland: +5%
Ethos
Catholic
Patron: Bishop of Derry
Language
English
outside the Gaeltacht
Results
Not published
none school by school (Education Act 1998, s.53)
The gist

What stands out about Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

  • A small primary school: 17 pupils, against a typical 131.
  • Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
  • Smaller than it was: 17 pupils, 62% fewer than the 45 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 smallest of the 4 primary schools around Castlefinn.
  • Its patron is the Bishop of Derry; its ethos is Catholic.
  • Outside Castlefinn’s outline, 2.8 km away; listed with Castlefinn, the nearest town in its county.

Pupils over time

2015/16 to 2025/26

Scoil Cholmcille Naofa had 17 pupils in 2025/26, down from 47 in 2015/16 (−64%). Girls are 59% of them. Its largest roll was 56, in 2018/19. Its roll rose in 2 of the 10 years.

02040602015/162018/192021/222025/26PupilsGirls

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

No letter

No letter for Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

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 Scoil Cholmcille Naofa 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 Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

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 Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

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

Families apply to Scoil Cholmcille Naofa 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
17
September, 2025/26
Since 2019/20
−62%
from 45 pupils

No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Scoil Cholmcille Naofa has shrunk by 62% since 2019/20. All the schools around Castlefinn together changed by −14%.

Pupils since 2019/20

Scoil Cholmcille Naofa−62%
The primary schools around Castlefinn−14%
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.

Each of the 6 nearest primary schools has more pupils than Scoil Cholmcille Naofa. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −62%; 6 of the 6 grew faster.

Scoil Cholmcille Naofa17
SN Naomh Samhthann40
St Mary's155
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál124
Scoil Cuilm Cille38
St Patricks162
S.N. Domhnach Mor22
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
Scoil Cholmcille Naofa17−62%CatholicEnglish✓
SN Naomh Samhthann40−32%CatholicEnglish✓3.7 km
St Mary's National School155+25%CatholicEnglish✓3.7 km
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál124+19%CatholicEnglish✓4.3 km
Scoil Cuilm Cille38+6%CatholicEnglish✓4.7 km
St Patricks N.S.162−6%CatholicEnglish✓4.8 km
S.N. Domhnach Mor22−51%PresbyterianEnglish✓6.6 km
The other 164 primary schools in Co. Donegal
SchoolPupilsSince 2019/20EthosLanguageDEISAway
Scoil Adhamhnain158+3%CatholicEnglish✓8.6 km
Raphoe Central N.S.185−6%Church of IrelandEnglish✓8.8 km
Killygordan N.S.22+5%Church of IrelandEnglish✓9.5 km
S.N. an Droim Mor229−1%CatholicEnglish✓9.5 km
Comhscoil Chonmha S.N.100+11%Church of IrelandEnglish10 km
Gleneely N.S.45−33%CatholicEnglish✓10 km
Scoil Bhride192−3%CatholicEnglish✓11 km
S.N. Baile an Caislean66+38%PresbyterianEnglish✓13 km
Glenmaquin N.S.21−9%PresbyterianEnglish✓14 km
Scoil Mhuire B & C489+8%CatholicEnglish✓14 km
Robertson N.S.89+35%Church of IrelandEnglish✓14 km
S.N. Gleann Coimhead57−34%CatholicEnglish15 km
S.N. Naomh Baoithin113+3%CatholicEnglish✓15 km
S.N. Naomh Colmchille81−4%CatholicEnglish✓15 km
Ray N.S.51−20%Church of IrelandEnglish✓16 km
Scoil Phádraig118−6%CatholicEnglish16 km
S.N. Seiseadh Ui Neill167−6%CatholicEnglish✓16 km
St Patricks N.S.426−6%CatholicEnglish17 km
S.N. an Leinbh Iosa84+12%CatholicEnglish✓18 km
Monreagh N.S.48+2%PresbyterianEnglish✓18 km
Scoil Naomh Proinnseas119−6%CatholicEnglish✓19 km
Dooish N.S.191−12%CatholicEnglish20 km
S.N. Baile Raighin215−9%Church of IrelandEnglish20 km
Letterkenny Educate Together NS420+43%Multi-denominationalEnglish✓20 km
Scoil Choilmcille659+82%CatholicEnglish✓21 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal480+11%CatholicEnglish21 km
S.N. Baile an Bhailsig47+68%Church of IrelandEnglish21 km
S N Talamh na Coille467−2%CatholicEnglish21 km
Scoil Cholmcille199−13%CatholicEnglish✓21 km
Moyle N.S.81−7%PresbyterianEnglish22 km
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain410−12%CatholicAll in Irish22 km
Cashelshanaghan N.S.28+4%PresbyterianEnglish23 km
Scoil Naomh Fiachra519−6%CatholicEnglish25 km
Glenswilly N.S.262−4%CatholicEnglish25 km
S.N. Taodhbhog55+49%CatholicAll in Irish✓25 km
Scoil Mhuire206+14%CatholicEnglish✓26 km
Ayr Hill N.S. Ramelton32–PresbyterianEnglish27 km
Scoil Naomh Seosamh24−23%CatholicEnglish27 km
S.N. Naomh Aonghus218+6%CatholicEnglish28 km
S.N. an Choimin54−30%CatholicAll in Irish✓28 km
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille68−12%CatholicEnglish✓28 km
Browneknowe N.S.48−28%PresbyterianEnglish29 km
S.N. Trianta33+3%PresbyterianEnglish29 km
S.N. Naomh Colmchille231+19%CatholicEnglish29 km
St Muras N.S.189−12%CatholicEnglish30 km
Portlean N.S.20−17%PresbyterianEnglish31 km
Gartan N.S.19–Church of IrelandEnglish✓32 km
Rathmullen N.S.119+24%CatholicEnglish✓32 km
Scoil an tStratha Mhóir64−25%CatholicAll in Irish✓33 km
Scoil Cholmcille127+1%CatholicAll in Irish✓33 km
S.N. Mhuire218+25%CatholicEnglish✓33 km
Scoil Naomh Brid196−1%CatholicEnglish34 km
St Francis N.S.159+2%CatholicEnglish34 km
Scoil Mhuire54+20%CatholicEnglish✓35 km
Scoil Iosagain779+0%CatholicEnglish37 km
St. Mura's National School26+0%Church of IrelandEnglish37 km
St Garvans N.S.33+3%CatholicEnglish✓37 km
Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha67−48%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish37 km
S.N. Cholmcille28−22%CatholicAll in Irish✓38 km
S.N. Ceathru Caol53−47%CatholicEnglish✓38 km
Cranford N.S.48+0%CatholicEnglish✓38 km
St Orans N.S.228+8%CatholicEnglish✓39 km
Scoil an Linbh Íosa274+30%CatholicEnglish39 km
Scoil Aodh Rua&Nuala219−8%CatholicEnglish40 km
Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistri55−38%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish40 km
Glebe N.S.121+20%Church of IrelandEnglish41 km
S.N. Eadan Fhionnfhaoich10–CatholicAll in Irish✓41 km
Scoil Naomh Iósaf45−10%CatholicEnglish✓41 km
Naomh Adhamhnain123+62%CatholicEnglish41 km
S.N. Glasain28+4%CatholicAll in Irish✓42 km
Drumfad N.S.35+3%PresbyterianEnglish✓42 km
Scoil Cholmcille37−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓42 km
S.N. Naomh Eighneach75−26%CatholicEnglish✓43 km
Creeslough N.S.31+11%Church of IrelandEnglish✓43 km
Scoil Mhuire166+30%CatholicEnglish✓43 km
Scoil Naomh Fionan199−12%CatholicEnglish44 km
Scoil Eoin Baiste136−4%CatholicEnglish✓44 km
S.N. Duchoraidh4–CatholicAll in Irish✓44 km
Scoil Naomh Earnan94+0%CatholicEnglish✓45 km
S.N. Naomh Padraig64+0%CatholicEnglish✓45 km
St Davadogs N.S.27−16%CatholicEnglish✓45 km
Scoil Choluim30–CatholicEnglish✓45 km
Robertson N.S.67+24%Church of IrelandEnglish✓45 km
Scoil Naomh Peadar135+75%CatholicEnglish46 km
S.N. Baile Mor7–Church of IrelandEnglish✓47 km
S.N. Fothar32−18%CatholicEnglish47 km
S.N. Naomh Brid66−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓47 km
Scoil Mhuire155+32%CatholicEnglish✓48 km
Frosses N.S.77−11%CatholicEnglish✓48 km
Scoil Mhuire64+8%CatholicAll in Irish✓49 km
Murroe National School50+85%CatholicEnglish✓49 km
S N Caiseal na gCorr44+2%CatholicAll in Irish✓49 km
S.N. Leitir Mhic an Bhaird16−48%CatholicEnglish✓49 km
Glentogher Con N.S.13–CatholicEnglish✓49 km
Inver N.S.20−23%Church of IrelandEnglish50 km
S.N. Naomh Naille113+14%CatholicEnglish50 km
S N na Croise Naofa33−21%CatholicEnglish✓50 km
S N na gCluainte96−8%CatholicEnglish✓50 km
Dunfanaghy N.S.24−14%Church of IrelandEnglish✓50 km
St Riaghans N.S.26+18%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
Min A Ghabhann N.S.39+30%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
S.N. Donaigh33+6%Church of IrelandEnglish✓51 km
St Francis' National School132+11%CatholicEnglish✓51 km
Scoil Fhionáin204+20%CatholicAll in Irish✓51 km
Scoil Naomh Treasa C52−9%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
Rockfield N.S.49+14%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
S.N. Gort an Choirce40+0%CatholicAll in Irish✓52 km
S.N. Chill Coinnigh5−75%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
Scoil Naomh Colmchille186+11%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
Scoil Chroí Naofa, Carndomhnach124−7%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
Scoil Naomh Padraig163+14%CatholicEnglish✓52 km
Scoil Phadraig103+27%CatholicAll in Irish✓53 km
S.N. Loch an Iubhair25−32%CatholicAll in Irish✓53 km
S.N. Mhin Teineadh de21−9%CatholicAll in Irish53 km
Gortnacart N.S.16–CatholicEnglish✓53 km
Scoil Eoghan212−15%CatholicEnglish✓53 km
Moville N.S.32−41%Church of IrelandEnglish53 km
Gaelscoil Chois Feabhaill75−7%CatholicAll in Irish54 km
Kilbarron N.S.44+16%Church of IrelandEnglish✓54 km
Scoil Naomh Chaitriona77+26%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Gaelscoil Eirne29−40%Inter-denominationalAll in Irish✓54 km
Naomh Bridhid92−12%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Holy Family National School193+35%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
Scoil Phadraig121−16%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
S.N. an Br M O Cleirigh211−2%CatholicEnglish54 km
Scoil Mhuire118−4%CatholicEnglish✓54 km
S N Cnoc na Naomh87−3%CatholicAll in Irish✓55 km
S.N. Dhubhthaigh91−11%CatholicAll in Irish✓55 km
Scoil Chróine265−5%CatholicEnglish✓55 km
Scoil Naomh Dubhthach27−29%CatholicAll in Irish✓56 km
S.N. Dun Ceannfhaolaidh82−12%CatholicEnglish✓56 km
S.N. Muire Gan Smal94+36%CatholicEnglish✓56 km
S.N. Olibhear Pluinceid61−29%CatholicAll in Irish✓56 km
Ardara Mixed N.S.12–Church of IrelandEnglish✓56 km
S.N. Chonaill107+23%CatholicAll in Irish✓56 km
Scoil Mhuire B&C97−16%CatholicAll in Irish✓57 km
Scoil Cholmcille133+8%CatholicEnglish57 km
Killaghtee N.S.12–Church of IrelandEnglish✓57 km
S.N. Adhamhnain131−8%CatholicAll in Irish✓57 km
Bruckless N.S.18–CatholicEnglish✓58 km
S.N. an Bhreacaigh24−31%CatholicAll in Irish✓58 km
Scoil Treasa Naofa137+40%CatholicEnglish✓58 km
Scoil Bhrighde28−7%CatholicAll in Irish✓58 km
Scoil Roisin51−14%CatholicSome subjects in Irish✓58 km
St Conals68−14%CatholicEnglish✓58 km
Naomh Bodain108+44%CatholicEnglish✓58 km
Killybegs Common N.S.75+7%CatholicEnglish✓60 km
Scoil Mhuire42+8%CatholicEnglish✓60 km
S N na hAcrai70+1%CatholicEnglish✓60 km
St Macartans Central276−1%CatholicEnglish✓60 km
Scoil an Aingil Choimheadai14−52%CatholicAll in Irish✓60 km
S.N. Crannaighe Buidhe54+54%CatholicEnglish✓60 km
S.N. Neill Mor240+22%CatholicEnglish✓61 km
S.N. an Iorball Riabaigh40−17%CatholicEnglish✓61 km
Scoil Cholmchille77−10%CatholicEnglish✓62 km
Scoil Naomh Mhuire57−22%CatholicEnglish✓63 km
S.N. Fhionntra5−88%CatholicEnglish64 km
S.N. Arainn Mhor I13–CatholicAll in Irish✓64 km
S.N. Arainn Mhor II21–CatholicAll in Irish✓66 km
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille18–CatholicAll in Irish✓67 km
S.N. Min an Aoire14–CatholicAll in Irish✓70 km
Scoil Chartha Naofa111+3%CatholicAll in Irish✓70 km
S N na Carraige59−27%CatholicAll in Irish✓72 km
S.N. an Chaiseal58−17%CatholicAll in Irish✓77 km
Living nearby

Living in Castlefinn

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

Median sale price
€165,200
routing key F93, 2023–25 (CSO): less sure
Average rent
€977
a month, new tenancies in 2025 across Co. Donegal

Homes in the F93 Eircode area

Housing in Castlefinn →

The median sale price rose from €161,000 in 2023 to €175,000 in 2025 (+9%).

2023€161,000
2024€159,100
2025€175,000

New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025

New homes€297,500
Second-hand homes€163,000

Property Price Register sales in the F93 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.

Renting in Co. Donegal

Cost of living in Castlefinn →

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 ↗

near Castlefinn, F93 NC84

Nearby

Primary schools near Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

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

SN Naomh Samhthann
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
40 pupils−32% since 2019/203.7 km
St Mary's National School
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
155 pupils+25% since 2019/203.7 km
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
124 pupils+19% since 2019/204.3 km
Scoil Cuilm Cille
Primary · Catholic
DEIS
38 pupils+6% since 2019/204.7 km
St Patricks N.S.
Primary · Catholic
DEISSpecial classes
162 pupils−6% since 2019/204.8 km
S.N. Domhnach Mor
Primary · Presbyterian
DEIS
22 pupils−51% since 2019/206.6 km
Official recordInspection reports (gov.ie) ↗Department of Education school lists ↗Roll number 17956L

Questions about Scoil Cholmcille Naofa

Is Scoil Cholmcille Naofa 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 Scoil Cholmcille Naofa have?

17 pupils in 2025/26. That is −62% since 2019/20.

Does Scoil Cholmcille Naofa teach through Irish?

No: Scoil Cholmcille Naofa teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.

Who runs Scoil Cholmcille Naofa?

Scoil Cholmcille Naofa has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Derry.

How do pupils get a place at Scoil Cholmcille Naofa?

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 Scoil Cholmcille Naofa?

The nearest are SN Naomh Samhthann (3.7 km), St Mary's National School (3.7 km) and Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál (4.3 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 Castlefinn; 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).