Unique fun day at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada - with a free ferry trio to Arranmore

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Arranmore are offering a free ferry trip and have plenty on offer for all the family on Saturday.

A family fun day is being held at the school from 1.30-3pm.

Over the last two days, pupils from eight local primary schools - two on Arranmore and six on the west Donegal coast - have been attending open days and now get a further chance to experience the school with their families.

Ms Derval Newman, who took up her position of the principal at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada in September, says the school is thriving.

“This is a chance for us to have a family-orientated event where a whole family can come to see the school and see the island,” she told Donegal Live.

“We had children in from the primary schools doing some practical subjects and I wanted them to experience moving from class to class. We will also have science experiments and wood work activities on Saturday.

“We have around 70 students at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada at the moment. We want to stay around the 70-100 mark.

“As an ETB school, our core values are care, respect and equality in the community and excellence in education. We have that focus firmly in our minds.

“Given that we are a smaller school, we can also spend more time with students that larger schools. There is a great feeling around the school, it’s a wonderful place and the school staff and students are lovely.”

A native of Dublin, Ms Newman was appointed to succeed Mary Doherty as the principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada earlier this year and took up her new posting in September.

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Ms Newman has been working in Donegal since 2009, first at Colaiste Chineal Eoghain in Buncrana and then Colaiste Ailigh in Letterkenny. Based in Kilmacrennan, the commute has been an enjoyable experience.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “There is no traffic and I get to practice mindfulness on the ferry. I have been used to the management role from previously. Door-to-door the journey is less than an hour. It’s 45 minutes from house to boat and then it’s like me time on the boat. It’s certainly a different commute.”