Who is the principal of The Royal and Prior School?

Dr. Howard Terence Welch is the principal of The Royal and Prior School, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is The Royal and Prior School a mixed school?

Yes. The Royal and Prior School takes both boys and girls.

Is The Royal and Prior School fee-paying?

No. The Royal and Prior School 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 The Royal and Prior School?

The Royal and Prior School has a Church of Ireland ethos. Its patron is Minister for Education.

Does The Royal and Prior School teach through Irish?

No. The Royal and Prior School teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is The Royal and Prior School a DEIS school?

Yes. The Royal and Prior School is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where can I read The Royal and Prior School's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by The Royal and Prior School's roll number, 81011L, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near The Royal and Prior School?

The closest is Deele College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

The Royal and Prior School

Lifford, Co. Donegal

609 studentsMixedDEISBoardingComprehensive schoolTY optional

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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. Visit the school's website.

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

609 students: 316 girls and 293 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 112
2nd year: 102
3rd year: 121
TY: 61
5th year: 122
6th year: 91

Transition Year: 61 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (121). 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

The Royal and Prior School is a comprehensive school in Lifford, Co. Donegal (Eircode F93 T298). The Royal and Prior School has 609 students: 293 boys and 316 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Comprehensive school
Boys and girls: Mixed · 293 boys, 316 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Church of Ireland
Patron: Minister for Education
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day students and boarders
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 81011L

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 The Royal and Prior School?: The Royal and Prior School is a comprehensive school in Lifford, Co. Donegal (Eircode F93 T298).
How many students go to The Royal and Prior School?: The Royal and Prior School has 609 students: 293 boys and 316 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of The Royal and Prior School?: Dr. Howard Terence Welch is the principal of The Royal and Prior School, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is The Royal and Prior School a mixed school?: Yes. The Royal and Prior School takes both boys and girls.
Is The Royal and Prior School fee-paying?: No. The Royal and Prior School 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 The Royal and Prior School?: The Royal and Prior School has a Church of Ireland ethos. Its patron is Minister for Education.
Does The Royal and Prior School teach through Irish?: No. The Royal and Prior School teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does The Royal and Prior School have Transition Year?: 61 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (121). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is The Royal and Prior School a DEIS school?: Yes. The Royal and Prior School is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where can I read The Royal and Prior School's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by The Royal and Prior School's roll number, 81011L, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near The Royal and Prior School?: The closest is Deele College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

The Royal and Prior School compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Next date	Irish-medium	DEIS
The Royal and Prior SchoolThis school		609	Mixed	Comprehensive school	Free	None found yet	No	Yes
Deele CollegeLifford	900 m	840	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	No	Yes
Loreto Secondary SchoolLetterkenny	12.7 km	938	Girls	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No
St Eunan's CollegeLetterkenny	13.0 km	1,003	Boys	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No
Coláiste AilighLeitir Ceanainn	13.0 km	324	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	Yes	No
Errigal CollegeLetterkenny	13.3 km	662	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Applications open, Mon, 9 Nov	No	Yes
Finn Valley CollegeLifford	14.1 km	424	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Applications close, Tue, 24 Nov	No	Yes

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

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Contact

Raphoe
Lifford
Co. Donegal
F93T298

Principal: Dr. Howard Terence Welch on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 074 914 5389
Email: [email protected]
Website: royalandprior.ie
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Primary schools nearby

On our sister site, primaryschool.ie

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 The Royal and Prior School for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar