Ms Sinéad Ní Dhochartaigh appointed as Deputy Principal of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh

Ms Sinéad Ní Dhochartaigh has been appointed as the new Deputy Principal of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh in Béal an Átha Móir. 

Originally from Glenfin and a former pupil of the school, Sinéad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Irish, a Master of Arts degree in Irish, and a Professional Master of Education degree, all from NUI Galway. She replaces Ms Aoife de Náis, who recently moved to a Deputy Principal post in Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny.

READ NEXT: Ms Aoife De Náis appointed as Deputy Principal at Coláiste Ailigh

Sinéad began her teaching career in Dublin before returning to Donegal. Since 2019, she has been teaching Irish and Geography in St. Columba’s Comprehensive School in Glenties, where she was also part of the Middle Leadership Team with the post of  English as an Additional Language (EAL) Coordinator. She was heavily involved in school sports and the promotion of the Irish language, and worked for the State Examinations Commission for almost ten years as an Irish oral and written examiner.

Gairmscoil Chú Uladh in Béal an Átha Móir is an Irish-speaking school managed by Donegal ETB. Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí is the school principal, and the school is situated in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht Láir.  It has a school population of almost one hundred students, with just over twenty-three staff members. Sinéad takes up her appointment immediately.

The school offers a range of subjects to Leaving Certificate higher level, including Gaeilge, English, Maths, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, French, Business, Art, Woodwork, Graphics, Music, Physical Education, Home Economics, Graphics Design and Communications, and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

“I am honoured to be appointed Deputy Principal of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, “ Sinéad said. “As a proud past pupil and local of the area, I feel a strong connection to the school and look forward to working with our students and families in the community.”

“I am excited to work with our Principal, Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí, and the dedicated staff of the school to continue their fantastic work in promoting the Irish language, delivering high-quality education through the medium of Irish, and ensuring every student feels supported to achieve their full potential. In this role, I am committed to advancing our school’s vision, upholding the values of Donegal ETB, and encouraging more young people to experience the many benefits of immersive education through Irish.”

Sinéad's passion for the Irish language extends to promoting the language in her local community through her involvement with the local Coiste Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta Láir over several years. She is now looking forward to continuing that work in Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, aiming to encourage more young people to experience the many benefits of immersive education through Irish and to complete their second-level education through the language.

Thanking the staff of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh for their warm welcome and support, Sinéad extended her best wishes to the outgoing Deputy Principal, Aoife de Náis, as she takes up her new post in Coláiste Ailigh.

Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools with Donegal ETB, congratulated Sinead on her appointment, saying: “I am delighted to welcome Sinéad to the senior leadership and management team of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh. This is an important appointment, and I extend my congratulations to her as she takes on this key role, working closely with Principal Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Aoife de Náis, the outgoing Deputy Principal, for her significant contribution to the development of the school over recent years.”

Gairmscoil Chú Uladh is one of fifteen of the county’s twenty-seven post-primary schools under the management of Donegal ETB, the largest education and training provider in the county. In the previous academic year 2024-2025, over 6,000 students attended Donegal ETB post-primary schools.

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Leas-Phríomhoide nua ceaptha ag ETB Dhún na nGall 

Tá áthas ar Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna (ETB) Dhún na nGall a fhógairt go bhfuil an Sinéad Ní Dhochartaigh ceaptha mar Leas-Phríomhoide nua ar Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh i mBéal an Átha Móir. Téann sí in áit Aoife de Náis, a bhog go post Leas-Phríomhoide i gColáiste Ailigh i Leitir Ceanainn ar na mallaibh.

Is as Gleann Fhinne ó dhúchas í agus is iarscoláire de chuid na scoile í. Tá Baitsiléir Ealaíon sa Tíreolaíocht agus sa Ghaeilge, Máistreacht Ealaíon sa Ghaeilge, agus Máistreacht Ghairmiúil san Oideachas ag Sinéad, iad ar fad ó Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.

Thosaigh sí ar a gairm bheatha sa mhúinteoireacht i mBaile Átha Cliath sular fhill sí ar Chontae Dhún na nGall. Ó 2019 i leith, tá sí ag teagasc Gaeilge agus Tíreolaíochta i Scoil Chuimsitheach Cholmcille sna Gleanntaí, áit a raibh sí mar chuid den Fhoireann Meáncheannaireachta fosta le post aici mar Chomhordaitheoir Béarla mar Theanga Bhreise (EAL). Bhí baint mhór aici le spóirt scoile agus le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge, agus d’oibrigh sí do Choimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit ar feadh chóir a bheith deich mbliana mar scrúdaitheoir béil agus scríofa na Gaeilge.

Is Gaelscoil í Gairmscoil Chú Uladh i mBéal an Átha Móir atá á bainistiú ag ETB Dhún na nGall. Is é Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí príomhoide na scoile, agus tá an scoil suite i gcroílár Ghaeltacht Láir Dhún na nGall. Freastalaíonn beagnach céad scoláire ar an scoil agus tá níos mó ná trí bhall foirne is fiche fostaithe.

Cuireann an scoil réimse ábhar ar fáil go dtí ardleibhéal Ardteistiméireachta, Gaeilge, Béarla, Matamaitic, Stair, Tíreolaíocht, Bitheolaíocht, Ceimic, Eolaíocht Talmhaíochta, Fraincis, Gnó, Ealaín, Adhmadóireacht, Grafaicí, Ceol, Corpoideachas, Eacnamaíocht Bhaile, Dearadh Grafach agus Cumarsáid, agus Gairmchlár na hArdteistiméireachta ina measc.

Agus í ag labhairt ar a ceapachán, dúirt Sinéad, “Is mór an onóir dom a bheith ceaptha mar Leas-Phríomhoide Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh. Mar iardhalta bródúil agus mar dhuine de bhunadh na háite, mothaím nasc láidir leis an scoil agus tá mé ag dúil le bheith ag obair lenár scoláirí agus lenár dteaghlaigh sa phobal.” 

“Tá mé ar bís le bheith ag obair lenár bPríomhoide, Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí, agus le foireann dhíograiseach na scoile chun leanúint lena gcuid oibre iontach chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, Gaeloideachas ardchaighdeáin a sholáthar, agus a chinntiú go mothaíonn gach scoláire go bhfuil tacaíocht acu chun a lánacmhainneacht a bhaint amach. Sa ról seo, tá mé tiomanta d’fhís ár scoile a chur chun cinn, tacú le luachanna ETB Dhún na nGall, agus níos mó daoine óga a spreagadh chun sult a bhaint as na buntáistí uilig a bhaineann leis an tumoideachais trí mheán na Gaeilge.”

Tagann an paisean atá ag Sinéad don Ghaeilge chun an teanga a chur chun cinn ina pobal áitiúil ón bhaint a bhí aici le Coiste Pleanála Theanga na Gaeltachta Láir thar roinnt blianta. Tá sí ag dúil anois le leanúint leis an obair sin i nGairmscoil Chú Uladh, ag iarraidh níos mó daoine óga a spreagadh chun taithí a fháil ar na buntáistí ar fad a bhaineann leis an tumoideachas trí Ghaeilge agus a meánscolaíocht a chríochnú trí mheán na Gaeilge.

Ag gabháil buíochais d’fhoireann Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh as an fháilte chroíúil agus an tacaíocht, ghuigh Sinéad gach rath ar an leas-phríomhoide atá ag dul as oifig, Aoife de Náis, agus í ag dul i mbun a post nua i gColáiste Ailigh.

Rinne an Dr Martin Gormley, Stiúrthóir Scoileanna le ETB Dhún na nGall, comhghairdeas le Sinéad ar a ceapachán, ag rá: “Tá áthas orm fáilte a chur roimh Sinéad chuig foireann shinsearach ceannaireachta agus bainistíochta Ghairmscoil Chú Uladh. Is ceapachán tábhachtach é seo, agus déanaim comhghairdeas ó chroí léi agus í ag glacadh leis an ról lárnach seo, ag obair go dlúth leis an Phríomhoide Ciarán Mac Ruaidhrí. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil fosta le hAoife de Náis, an Leas-Phríomhoide atá ag dul as oifig, as an mhéid suntasach a rinne sí i bhforbairt na scoile le blianta beaga anuas.”

Tá Gairmscoil Chú Uladh ar cheann de chúig scoil déag as fiche seacht iar-bhunscoil sa chontae atá faoi bhainistíocht ETB Dhún na nGall, an soláthraí oideachais agus oiliúna is mó sa chontae. Sa scoilbhliain roimhe sin, 2024-2025, d’fhreastail breis agus 6,000 scoláire ar iar-bhunscoileanna ETB Dhún na nGall.

Tá Sinéad ag tosú ar a post láithreach.