End of an era as century-old school building is demolished
New school building takes shape as redevelopment enters its second phase ahead of first pupil intake in September
The familiar façade of Scoil Íosagáin's historic Sacred Heart school building has been demolished to make way for the second phase of the school's landmark €21 million redevelopment.
The building, which has served generations of Buncrana pupils since opening in 1924, was demolished just weeks after hundreds of former pupils, staff and members of the community returned to bid it a final farewell.
Its demolition has opened up the site and given the public the first proper view of the new, long-awaited building which has been under construction for the past 18 months.
While the old school building is no more, Acting Principal Shay Kinsella said important elements of the heritage will live on.
“As well as the plaques from outside, we're retaining one of the original sash windows, and one of the glazed internal doors, to be installed in the foyer of the new building.
“We're keen to nod to the architectural heritage of the old schools.”
The sod was turned on the long-awaited redevelopment in January 2025, with construction progressing rapidly over year and a half since.
The first phase of the new school is now complete, allowing senior classes and most of Scoil Íosagáin’s special classes to move into the new premises for the beginning of the school year in September.
“The progress have been very good,” Mr Kinsella said. “Boyle Construction have been very efficient, and very conscious of the fact they're working on a school site.
“It has worked out seamlessly, and we're looking forward to that continuing in phase two.”
Once the site is clear, work on the second phase will begin immediately. The footprint of the old building will become the site of the remainder of the new U-shaped school premises.
Demolition has given the public its first unobstructed view of the impressive new building. With 800 pupils, Scoil Íosagáin is Donegal’s largest primary school.
“The public will get their first proper look at the first half - phase 1 - of the new school building. It's U-shaped, and half of it is already complete,” Mr Kinsella said.
“Phase 2 will be built on the site where the old school has been demolished.
“The 'front facing' side of the school will be built over the next year.”
Ten mainstream classes, comprising fourth, fifth and sixth classes, together with most of the school's special classes, will be the first to enjoy the comforts of the new accommodation.
The completed development will include additional classrooms, a library, PE hall and reception area, while bringing the entire school community together on one modern campus.
“It really will be a state-of-the-art building. We're on a split campus here at the moment with prefabs, but the new building gives us the opportunity to integrate all our special classes with our mainstream classes.
“We'll make sure to embrace all the opportunities for inclusion, and to have all our children educated together, that the new environment will provide."
The redevelopment builds on Scoil Íosagáin's well-earned reputation as leading centre for inclusive education, a vision championed over the past three decades by Principal Sinéad McLaughlin who is currently on leave.
Mr Kinsella was keen to acknowledge her role in bringing the ambitious project to fruition.
“She has pushed this project for many years, and deserves all the praise for that,” he said. “It has been her vision, and she has very much been the figurehead for the school.
“We are all thinking of her, and the re-opening in September will be very much her day as well.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the move, Mr Kinsella admitted there is sadness at saying goodbye to a building that has been at the heart of Buncrana life for more than a century.
“It's been such a boost to the morale of the school to see the progress. It's much needed. And while there's an emotional wrench at seeing the old building knocked down, it just wasn't fit for purpose any more.
“We have to stand back at allow progress to take place.
“But it will be a boost to the morale of the staff and the children to walk into the new corridors. We're really excited.”
Last month the school opened its doors one final time, allowing generations of former pupils and staff to revisit the building and leave farewell messages before demolition.
“We discussed the importance of opening up the school one last time, so that previous generations of pupils and staff would have the opportunity to visit and allow the memories to flood back.
“Returning to an old school building can do that.
“A lot of memories were evoked just by people walking in, sensing something - whether it be seeing a particular door or window, or catching a smell.
“It was important to allow people visit the building one last time and to put their message on it.
“It was an idea that came from one of our teachers, Aoibheann Jordan. The theme was Láimhe le Chéile (Hands Together) and was a great opportunity for people to bid farewell and put their mark on the school.
“It was a huge success. Hundreds of people came that evening and gave them a chance to say goodbye to the school before the building is pulled down.”
Describing 2026 as 'a year of phenomenal change for the school', Mr Kinsella said the demolition marks the end of one chapter in Scoil Íosagáin's history and the beginning of another.