Drumkeen National School
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Phádraig, Drumkeen is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the parish of Raphoe, County Donegal. Under the patronage of the Bishop of Raphoe, the school provides a nurturing environment for roughly 110‑125 pupils, emphasising the holistic development of each child – intellectually, physically, culturally, morally and spiritually. The curriculum is delivered within a modern building opened in 1991, which houses five classroom teachers, two special‑education teachers and four special‑needs assistants, supported by dedicated facilities for ICT, sports and creative activities. The school’s ethos is rooted in Catholic values, promoting respect, community, and a love of learning. A strong focus on inclusive education ensures that children with special educational needs are fully supported, while a range of extracurricular programmes encourages confidence, teamwork and personal growth. The close proximity to the local chapel reinforces the spiritual dimension of school life, and the school actively engages parents and the wider community in its programmes and events.
History
The original Drumkeen National School opened in 1936 as a modest two‑teacher, one‑room school near the present parish hall. Funded by community contributions and the purchase of a field from Jim Patton, the school served hundreds of pupils from Drumkeen and surrounding areas. Over the decades, notable staff such as Master Harvey (principal 1942‑1973) and Master Ferry oversaw its growth, with enrolments reaching around 80 pupils by 1969 and the addition of prefabricated classrooms. In the mid‑1970s a committee was formed to campaign for a new building; after extensive fundraising and lobbying, a new school was constructed beside the chapel and opened on 4 September 1991. The old school was later demolished and the site now hosts the local shop and post office.