In pictures: Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada celebrates 35 years on Árainn Mhór Island

Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Árainn Mhór Island celebrated its 35th birthday with the official opening of a new garden and the launch of a new website and parents' app. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

Named after Dr Eugene McDermott, who spearheaded the action committee that pursued the setting up of the school, the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) school officially opened its doors on 8 October 1990, after years of tireless campaigning by Father McDermott and the island’s parents.

Before that, young people had to leave the island at 12 years of age to attend boarding schools or mainland institutions.

The support of former Chief Executive Officer Seán Ó Longáin and the then County Donegal Vocational Education Committee (now Donegal ETB) saw the school become a reality, allowing the island’s young people to complete their second-level education whilst living at home.

Three and a half decades on, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada continues to provide high-quality education on Árainn Mhór Island. In a remarkable shift, the long-standing pattern of students leaving the island for second-level education has now reversed, with young people from the mainland commuting daily to attend this well-resourced, bilingual school.

Its dual-language streams, Irish and English, ensure students can learn in their preferred language while preserving the island’s rich cultural heritage.

Along with strong ferry links and a vibrant local culture, Árainn Mhór has become a place where education flourishes, fostering both academic excellence and a deep sense of belonging.

Today, the school meets the needs of the local community by offering a range of programmes, including the new Junior Cycle, Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate, and the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme.

Principal of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Ms Derval Newman, said: “This is a truly special moment in the life of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada. As we mark 35 years of providing excellence in education here on Árainn Mhór, not only to the young people of the island, but also to students who travel from the mainland, we reflect with pride on our journey so far and look ahead with renewed energy and purpose.”

“The opening of our new Biodiversity and Sustainable Garden, along with the launch of our new school website, are both symbols of growth, connection, and community. These milestones reflect the core values of our ETB school: care, respect, equality, community, and a commitment to educational excellence. We are proud to celebrate this day with the students, staff, families, and wider community who make this school what it is.”

Work began on the new garden in November 2024, as part of a biodiversity project with TG4 for its upcoming documentary series, Cúl an Tí. Irish gardener, landscape designer, and author Mary Reynolds, the youngest contestant to win a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show, designed the garden.

It was designed not just for learning, wellbeing, biodiversity, and sustainability, but also as a living space for student engagement, environmental education, and action. It reflects the school’s growing commitment to climate action and connecting with nature.

The school is particularly grateful to those who sponsored the new garden, including Pleanáil Teanga Árainn Mhóir and Noreen Muldowney, Maire McGuinness, Edward Gallagher, Emma McGarvey (The Cope, Dungloe), Dara McShane (Rosses Credit Union), Brian and Seamus O'Donnell (O Donnell’s DIY), Paddy McBride, Glenveagh National Park and Eamon McGill.

Speaking about the celebrations, Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said, “I would like to offer my congratulations to all at Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on this really special birthday for the school. It is important to celebrate this historic day and to reflect on the tremendous progress that has been made since our second-level school opened in 1990. The new website and app are a great example of how the school has developed and thrived over the years.”

“Schools are a vital part of any community, and Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada has led the way in community involvement, showcased today so beautifully in this biodiversity and sustainable garden. I wish the whole school community many years of enjoyment of the garden and, indeed, of the fabulous facilities we have here at the school. Go n-éirí go geal libh.”