Minister for Education takes guided tour of three Donegal schools

The Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland, Hildegarde Naughton TD, took a guided tour of St Eunan’s College, Scoil Mhuire and Mulroy College to witness the need for building improvements at the three schools

Published 23rd May 2026, 19:00 BST Minister Naughton visited Mulroy College, where she met with students, staff and members of the senior management team | Mulroy College The Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland, Hildegarde Naughton TD, took a guided tour of St Eunan’s College, Scoil Mhuire and Mulroy College to witness the need for building improvements at the three schools Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

The Minister for Education , Hildegarde Naughton TD, took a guided tour of three secondary schools in Donegal .

The Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland visited St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, Milford’s Scoil Mhuire and Mulroy College, meeting with student councils, parents and local representatives who are advocating for upgrades to infrastructure.

At St Eunan’s College, the Student Council guided the minister and Fine Gael TD on a 45-minute tour of the school. The visit came about as St Eunan’s were overlooked for funding under the first tranche of the National Development Plan rollout for 2026 and 2027.

“A great engagement and fantastic tour by the students of St Eunan's College to show the Minister first hand how important it is that St Eunan’s College be successful for the next tranche of funding,” Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly said. “I will continue to keep the pressure on to try to ensure this much-needed extension and upgrades are delivered in the not-too-distant future.”

The school, which was built in 1906, has not received major improvement works since the 1970s. Now, with over 1,000 students and a growing waiting list, the school currently can’t take any more students.

Minister Naughton said: “I am deeply conscious of the importance of ensuring that our schools are equipped to meet the needs of growing communities and evolving educational priorities. “The story of Saint Eunan’s College is one of resilience, vision and progress, and the school continues to build on its proud tradition while looking confidently to the future.”

Read More Donegal projects awarded almost €100k under the Community Heritage Grant Scheme In pictures: Excellence celebrated at Errigal College in Letterkenny Five-year-old Donegal pupil wins Sightsavers Ireland Junior Painter of the Year Donegal school wins Global Goals Award at the Our World Awards National Finals At Mulroy College, the minister met with the board of management, the parents' association and the student council. Concerns were raised about building standards and facilities for students after student numbers significantly increased. “It is very encouraging for us as a school community to welcome Minister Naughton to Mulroy College and to provide her with an opportunity to see first-hand the challenges we face,” Ms Fiona Temple, Principal of Mulroy College, said.

“As a school, we pride ourselves on maintaining very high standards in education. However, we continue to operate in a building that is no longer fit for purpose and remains significantly under-resourced. Our roof has been leaking daily for over two decades, our classrooms are grossly undersized, and our ASD and SEN facilities fall far short of the requirements set out by the Department of Education and Youth.”

Minister Naughton said, “Mulroy College has experienced extraordinary growth in recent years. Enrolment has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing from fewer than 300 students to more than 600 young people today. That growth reflects the confidence that families across the wider catchment area place in this school and in the education being provided here.“I want to acknowledge the inclusive nature of this school, which has welcomed students from many backgrounds. That commitment to inclusion, support and care is something that is truly valued and commended.”

The minister also visited Milford’s Scoil Mhuire, where a new school building has been called for, safety concerns and the need for a toilet and green play area have been raised.“It is my pleasure to visit Milford to meet with such a committed, energetic and proud school community,” Minister Naughton said.

Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has provided €228.24 million in capital funding for Donegal schools. There are currently 8 school projects in Donegal under construction.

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