Finn Valley College
Lifford, Co. Donegal
424 studentsMixedDEISCommunity college (ETB)TY optional
Work-to-rule: some evening events, including open nights, may not go ahead. Check with the school. What it means
Applying for September 2027
- Applications open
- Tuesday, 13 October (passed)
- Applications close
- Tuesday, 24 NovemberAdd to calendar
- Offers by
- Friday, 27 NovemberAdd to calendar
- Accept by
- Friday, 4 DecemberAdd to calendar
From the school's website, checked 17 October. Always confirm with the school.
Never miss a date. Get a notification the day before an open night, and before applications close.
On iPhone: tap Share, then Add to Home Screen, and open secondaryschool.ie from there to turn on notifications. Or use your calendar below.
Or add its dates to your calendar. New dates appear as we find them:
Students this year
424 students: 200 girls and 224 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 76
- 2nd year
- 80
- 3rd year
- 83
- TY
- 37
- 5th year
- 77
- 6th year
- 71
Transition Year: 37 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (83). That usually means TY is optional here.
What it costs
- Tuition fees
- None. The school is in the free education scheme.
- Schoolbooks
- Free in every year, including TY, under the free schoolbooks scheme.
We haven't found this school's voluntary contribution or device policy yet. What secondary school costs, and the schemes that help
At a glance
Finn Valley College is a community college (etb) in Lifford, Co. Donegal (Eircode F93 AE27). Finn Valley College has 424 students: 224 boys and 200 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 224 boys, 200 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Multi-denominational
- Patron
- Donegal ETB
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- Yes, part of the DEIS programme
- Roll number
- 71240U
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: what DEIS means · types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is Finn Valley College?
- Finn Valley College is a community college (etb) in Lifford, Co. Donegal (Eircode F93 AE27).
- How many students go to Finn Valley College?
- Finn Valley College has 424 students: 224 boys and 200 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Finn Valley College?
- Sean Mcfadden is the principal of Finn Valley College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Finn Valley College a mixed school?
- Yes. Finn Valley College takes both boys and girls.
- Is Finn Valley College fee-paying?
- No. Finn Valley College is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.
- What is the ethos of Finn Valley College?
- Finn Valley College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Donegal ETB.
- Does Finn Valley College teach through Irish?
- No. Finn Valley College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does Finn Valley College have Transition Year?
- 37 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (83). That usually means TY is optional here.
- Is Finn Valley College a DEIS school?
- Yes. Finn Valley College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
- Where can I read Finn Valley College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Finn Valley College's roll number, 71240U, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Finn Valley College?
- The closest is St Columbas College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.
Closest secondary schools
| School | Distance | Students | Boys and girls | Type | Fees | Next date | Irish-medium | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Valley CollegeThis school | 424 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Tue, 24 Nov | No | Yes | |
| St Columbas CollegeStranorlar | 300 m | 983 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Deele CollegeLifford | 13.3 km | 840 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| The Royal and Prior SchoolLifford | 14.1 km | 609 | Mixed | Comprehensive school | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Loreto Secondary SchoolLetterkenny | 16.1 km | 938 | Girls | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| St Eunan's CollegeLetterkenny | 16.2 km | 1,003 | Boys | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Errigal CollegeLetterkenny | 17.5 km | 662 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications open, Mon, 9 Nov | No | Yes |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
Spotted something wrong on this page?
Contact
Drumboe LowerStranorlar
Lifford
Co Donegal
F93AE27
- Principal: Sean Mcfadden on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 074 913 1684
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: finnvalleycollege.ie
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- Scoil Mhuire B & C500 m
- Robertson NS800 m
- SN Seiseadh ui Neill2.2 km
- SN Gleann Coimhead2.9 km
- Dooish NS4.5 km
Next school holidays
- In 9 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
- In 10 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
- In 17 weeksFebruary mid-term breakMon, 15 February to Fri 19 February 2027
These dates are set for every secondary school in Ireland. Check with Finn Valley College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar