St. Eunan's National School
School Details
Location
About
St Eunan’s National School provides a caring, well‑ordered environment where the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of pupils are actively addressed. The school follows a Catholic ethos while recognising and respecting other faiths, and it promotes gender equity, Gaelic language use and strong parental partnership. A broad curriculum supports achievement in academic studies, sport, music, quizzes and the arts, and the school places particular emphasis on developing self‑esteem, responsibility and respect for people and property. Recent funding has enabled an extension to the school premises, enhancing classroom capacity and facilities for both mainstream and special‑education needs. The school community benefits from ongoing staff development programmes, a vibrant Parents Association and a commitment to inclusive, all‑round education that prepares children for lifelong learning.
History
The first Catholic primary school in Raphoe opened in 1868 in a thatched, single‑room building with stables beneath. Initially a boys’ school of 27 pupils, enrolments grew steadily throughout the 19th century despite early challenges with the building’s condition. Successive principals oversaw the construction of a new two‑room school near the main road, and the institution expanded from a three‑teacher school in 1931 to an eight‑teacher school by 1993, serving over 200 pupils. Leadership transitions continued into the 21st century, with the current principal appointed in September 2019.