Minister McEntee visiting four schools in Donegal including Coláiste Cholmcille as it marks its 25th anniversary
- Published on: 19 September 2025
- Last updated on: 19 September 2025
Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD is visiting four schools in Donegal today including Coláiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon (Friday 19 September) as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The Minister has said she is honoured to be with the school community on such a wonderful occasion of celebration.
Speaking in advance of the event which takes place this afternoon, Minister McEntee said:
“I am honoured to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary, to officially open the new modular building, and to mark the event of naming the Billy Finn Sports Complex.
“In twenty-five years, Coláiste Cholmcille has become an integral part of the community of Ballyshannon. It has given thousands of young people the chance to learn, to grow, to discover who they are and to dream of who they might become.
“In this environment of learning, respect, fairness and personal growth, the young people of Ballyshannon have navigated the journey from childhood to adulthood, and it is heart-warming to see how proud Coláiste Cholmcille is of its students, past and present.”
The Minister extended her thanks to all involved in organising the celebration.
She added:
“Our schools in Donegal play a vital role in sustaining the language, culture and traditions of this unique county while also preparing students for opportunities across Ireland, Europe and internationally. Coláiste Cholmcille can be very proud of its standing among the schools of Donegal, and indeed, among all the post-primary schools across Ireland.”
Minister McEntee is also visiting Scoil Mhuire, Milford, St. Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs, and Niall Mór National School, Killybegs, today where she is meeting with teachers, school staff and students.
The visits are set against a context of sustained Department of Education and Youth support for school infrastructure in the county.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested:
- Over €205 million, supporting the completion of 64 school building projects with a further 22 currently in construction, in Donegal.
Across the country, the Department has invested more than €6 billion in school building projects across the country since 2020. This includes the completion of over 1,400 projects and over 400 school building projects currently underway, involving 40 new school buildings.