Who is the principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?

Derval Newman is the principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada a mixed school?

Yes. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada takes both boys and girls.

Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada fee-paying?

No. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada 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 Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Donegal ETB.

Does Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada teach through Irish?

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has an Irish-medium stream, where some students learn every subject through Irish.

Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada a DEIS school?

Yes. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where can I read Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada's roll number, 71244F, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?

The closest is Rosses Community School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada

Árainn Mhór, Co. Donegal

61 studentsMixedIrish-medium streamDEISCommunity college (ETB)TY

Strike: most secondary schools are expected to close on Wednesday, 21 October. Work-to-rule: some evening events, including open nights, may not go ahead. Check with the school. What it means

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Open night and deadlines Compare with others

Applying for September 2027

We haven't found this school's dates for September 2027 entry yet. Schools usually hold open nights from September and open applications from October; the admission notice on the school's website has the exact window.

We check school websites every week and add dates as soon as they're published.

Get this school's dates when they're published. Get a notification the day before an open night, and before applications close.

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How secondary admissions work · Open nights in Co. Donegal

Students this year

61 students: 31 girls and 30 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 11
2nd year: 5
3rd year: 7
TY: 13
5th year: 18
6th year: 7

Transition Year: 13 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.

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

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada is a community college (etb) in Árainn Mhór, Co. Donegal (Eircode F92 YP83). Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has 61 students: 30 boys and 31 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Community college (ETB)
Boys and girls: Mixed · 30 boys, 31 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Multi-denominational
Patron: Donegal ETB
Language: Irish-medium stream for some students
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 71244F
Gaeltacht: Yes
Island school: Yes

Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie

Explained: what DEIS means · Gaelcholáistí · types of school · how to choose

Questions parents ask

Where is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?: Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada is a community college (etb) in Árainn Mhór, Co. Donegal (Eircode F92 YP83).
How many students go to Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?: Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has 61 students: 30 boys and 31 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?: Derval Newman is the principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada a mixed school?: Yes. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada takes both boys and girls.
Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada fee-paying?: No. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada 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 Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?: Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Donegal ETB.
Does Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada teach through Irish?: Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has an Irish-medium stream, where some students learn every subject through Irish.
Does Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada have Transition Year?: 13 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
Is Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada a DEIS school?: Yes. Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where can I read Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada's roll number, 71244F, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada?: The closest is Rosses Community School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Irish-medium	DEIS
Gairmscoil Mhic DiarmadaThis school		61	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Stream	Yes
Rosses Community SchoolDungloe	9.8 km	509	Mixed	Community school	Free	No	Yes
Pobalscoil Ghaoth DobhairLeitir Ceannain	18.4 km	414	Mixed	Community school	Free	Yes	Yes
St Columba's Comprehensive SchoolGlenties	24.5 km	400	Mixed	Comprehensive school	Free	No	Yes
Pobalscoil Chloich CheannfhaolaLeitir Ceanainn	30.5 km	455	Mixed	Community school	Free	No	Yes
Gairm Scoil Chú UladhLeifear	31.6 km	87	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	Yes
Coláiste Phobail CholmcilleDoirí Beaga	35.6 km	11	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Yes	Yes

Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.

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Contact

An Leadhbgarbh
Árainn Mhór
Co Dhún na nGall
F92YP83

Principal: Derval Newman on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 074 952 0747
Email: [email protected]
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Primary schools nearby

On our sister site, primaryschool.ie

Next school holidays

Strike: most secondary schools are expected to close on Wednesday, 21 October. Strikes and work-to-rule

In 8 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
In 9 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 Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar