Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál
Scoil Náisiúnta Muire Gan Smál is a primary school in Donegal. 124 pupils, Catholic ethos, DEIS Urban Band 1.
The facts
| Type | Primary school |
|---|---|
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ethos | Catholic |
| Patron | Bishop of Derry |
| Fees | Free |
| Enrolment | 124 (66 boys, 58 girls) 2025/26 |
| Language of instruction | English Medium School |
| DEIS | Yes — Urban Band 1 |
| Roll number | 18076J |
| Eircode | F93DE28 |
| Address | Townparks, Lifford, Co. Donegal |
What DEIS means here
DEIS Urban Band 1. This is the most intensively supported band. Junior classes are capped at 17:1, vertical schools at 19:1 and senior schools at 21:1 — smaller than almost any non-DEIS school in the country.
17:1 junior class size cap. Urban Band 1 primary schools have the lowest pupil-teacher ratio in Ireland: 17:1 in junior classes (infants to 2nd), 19:1 in vertical schools, and 21:1 in senior schools. That is smaller than almost any fee-paying school in the State.
Worth knowing: several things people associate with DEIS are now available in every school. Schoolbooks are free at primary and post-primary regardless of DEIS status, and since 2025 all primary schools are eligible for the hot school meals programme. What remains specific to DEIS is the staffing — reduced class sizes in Urban Band 1, the Home School Community Liaison coordinator, School Completion Programme access and enhanced capitation.
Band as published in the Department's DEIS list, last revised 2022-10-12.
Special classes
The NCSE lists no special class at this school for the coming year.
The area around this school
School planning area: Raphoe. This is how the Department plans where to build capacity. It is not a catchment.
Local house prices: the median residential sale price in Eircode district F93 (Lifford) was €173,750 in 2025. That is up 44.8% since 2020. CSO figures for the whole district, not the streets beside the school.
Area profile: the Pobal HP Deprivation Index rates Clonleigh South at -17.97 (Disadvantaged), where 0 is the national average. 22% of adults there hold a third-level qualification.
Contact
| Principal | Mrs Emma Bradley |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0749141269 |
| liffordns@gmail.com | |
| Local authority | Donegal County Council |
Other schools in Raphoe
- Comhscoil Chonmha S N Primary school, Donegal
- Deele College Secondary school, Donegal
- Glenmaquin N S Primary school, Donegal
- Monreagh N S Primary school, Donegal
- Raphoe Central N S Primary school, Donegal
- S N Baile An Caislean Primary school, Donegal
- S N Naomh Baoithin Primary school, Donegal
- Scoil Adhamhnain Primary school, Donegal
- Scoil Bhride Primary school, Donegal
- Scoil Cuilm Cille Primary school, Donegal
- Sn An Leinbh Iosa Primary school, Donegal
- St Patricks N S Primary school, Donegal
How we know
DoE Schools GIS 2026 (CC BY 4.0) — checked 2026-08-27.