Phase one of Scoil Iosagáin’s €21m rebuild scheduled for completion by June

Phase one of the new €21 million school building for Scoil Iosagáin in Buncrana is set to be completed by the second quarter of this year.

Donegal Minister of State Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the pace of progress of the project, which will see the complete refurbishment of Donegal’s largest primary school, with approximately 800 pupils.

“Phase one of the project is due to be finished in June. Given how things are currently progressing, it’s envisaged that pupils and staff will be moved into the new building for September 2026,” Minister McConalogue said.

“By then, the current Sacred Heart building will be demolished, with the second phase due to get underway immediately thereafter. All phases of the project are due to be completed by September 2027.”

He added: “Once completed, Scoil Iosagain will be the biggest primary school in Donegal and indeed one of the biggest in the country. I am delighted to see the project progressing so well, and I look forward to seeing the staff and pupils moving into the new build for the new school year.”

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The Buncrana school project is being funded under the Department of Education’s Large Scale Capital Programme. It involves the demolition of the Sacred Heart and St Columba’s School buildings, the relocation and removal of temporary buildings, and the construction of a new two-storey 25-classroom primary school, incorporating eight classrooms for special needs.

The new building of 6,335 square metres is being constructed in two phases. The third phase will see the construction of three hardball courts, car parking, and associated siteworks.

Also welcoming the progress of Scoil Iosagain’s new build is Fianna Fail County Councillor, Fionán Bradley: “As a past pupil of the school, I am delighted to see the new building taking shape. I know how hard the entire school community has worked to get this project to this stage.”

Cllr Bradley added: “Scoil Iosagáin recently celebrated its centenary and this new building will futureproof the school’s place at the heart of education in Buncrana for many decades to come.”