New Irish-Medium Primary School Approved

Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved the establishment of a new Irish-medium primary school in Dungiven.

The school, to be known as Gaelscoil Neachtain, is the first Irish-medium school to open in the controlled sector anywhere in the north.

Alongside approving the establishment of the new school, the Minister also approved the closure of the Irish-medium unit at St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven on 31 August 2012.


The Minister commented: "There is a clear demand for Irish-medium provision in the Dungiven area which has already been demonstrated through enrolments in the Irish-medium unit at St Canice’s Primary School. Parents now feel, and I am in agreement with their views, that it is now opportune for the establishment of a free-standing Irish-medium school.

"I pay tribute to the Board of Governors and staff of the Irish-medium unit at St Canice’s Primary School for their hard work over a 10 year period in developing successful provision for learning through the medium of Irish. This has paved the way for a successful transition to a viable stand-alone school. I wish the new Gaelscoil Neachtain every success for the future."

(CD/GK)