Don National School
School Details
Location
About
The Don National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in a tranquil rural setting just five minutes from Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. It provides a nurturing environment that prioritises the emotional, social and academic development of each child, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. The school follows a broad and balanced curriculum enriched with digital learning, active learning approaches and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, as demonstrated by its Wellness Wednesday programme and after‑school club. The campus comprises three bright mainstream classrooms, a dedicated Special Education Teacher (SET) classroom, a purpose‑built hall, a calm room, modern toilet facilities and a well‑equipped staffroom and office. Facilities support a wide range of activities, from STEM workshops and science weeks to cultural events and sports. A close‑knit community of staff, parents and pupils underpins the school’s ethos, encouraging partnership, respect and active participation in initiatives such as the Green Schools Committee and the Student Council.
History
The school derives its name from Charles Owen O’Conor Don, who acquired local townlands in 1860 and championed national education in Parliament. The Don National School opened on 2 July 1866, initially admitting 97 girls and 89 boys in a thatched stone building with separate classrooms for each gender. After securing a grant in December 1898, the original premises closed on 10 April 1904 and a new building was officially opened in August 1904, featuring separate principals for the boys’ and girls’ sections. Subsequent decades saw numerous extensions, including the addition of an SET classroom, staffroom, office, hall, toilet facilities and a calm room. In the 1970s the school survived a government proposal to close small schools, thanks to strong community support. The centenary was celebrated in 2004 under Principal Mary Finneran, and President Mary McAleese visited on 4 April 2005, marking a hundred years of service to the community.