New Irish Medium Education primary school to open in Waterside

There are exciting times ahead for Irish Medium Education (IME) in Derry’s Waterside.

Having just celebrated its first birthday, Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh Doire Trasna is currently enrolling nursery-age children for September 2026.

It also has its eyes on a much bigger prize in terms of developing and sustaining Derry’s Irish language community - the opening of a bunscoil (primary school) in September 2027.

Proposed site of Bunscoil an Phiarsaigh.

Speaking to The Derry News, Charmaine Deery, the vice chairperson of the project’s development committee, encouraged anyone who wanted their child to attend Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh in September to make an online application via the Education Authority portal (www.eani.org.uk).

“The application process closes on Wednesday (January 21) so anyone wanting to avail of Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh’s free pre-school education programme places (PSEP) should apply as quickly as possible,” she smiled.

Charmaine Deery is no stranger to IME. The principal of Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Léim An Mhadaidh she said she was delighted by the burgeoning of IME in Derry’s Waterside where she lives.

Casting her mind back to the beginning of Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh Doire Trasna, Ms Deery said: “When we first advertised Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh, we had 24 families registered within 24 hours. That was an incredible response from just one post on Facebook, and, with the support of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta we got Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh off the ground.”

Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta is the representative body for IME in the North.

“We also recognised that some parents might not see the point of sending their child to naíscoil if there was no bunscoil for them to move on to.

“We also noticed that parents tended to opt for schools which had a primary school with a nursery school, so the transition into primary one was seamless. This gives a school long-term stability and growth,” explained Ms Deery.

“So we went back to Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta and said, ‘Our children are going to be in their pre-school year next year (2026), so we have got to be able to offer them primary school places in 2027’, she added.

“After all, we want parents to have confidence that when they are sending their children to Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh, when they are starting on their naíscoil journey, there is going to be IME provision for them in the Waterside at the next stage.

“That is what we are focusing on next. We had a meeting with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta on Thursday and we were told Bunscoil an Phiarsaigh will be opening its doors in September 2027.

“This means that any children who register with Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh for September 2026 will be able to progress to IME primary school in the Waterside in September 2027.

“The proposed site for Bunscoil an Phiarsaigh has been identified as part of the ‘Top of the Hill Masterplan’,” said Ms Deery, who expressed disbelief that in 2026, the Waterside did not yet have a bunscoil.

“It is mind-blowing that it has not happened yet, especially given the success of Derry’s three other IME primary schools: Naíscoil Dhoire and Bunscoil Cholmcille, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, and Gaelscoil Na Daroige,” she added, “especially because in the past six years there has been a 25% growth in the IME sector.

“So, I definitely think Bunscoil an Phiarsaigh will become a very sustainable school and the Irish language will be carried from generation to generation. It is a long-term vision that is shared by all the IME schools in the city.”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council described the ‘Top of the Hill Masterplan’ as a “visionary project aimed at enhancing connectivity, recreation, and community wellbeing across Council-owned lands, including Top of the Hill Country Park, Kelly’s Field, and Eskaheen View”.

Conor Stiobhard & Peadar Ó Cunneagáin (Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta) & Enda Dobbin (PRO, Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh) & Charmaine Deery (vice chairperson, Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh

“The plan has been developed in collaboration with local community groups, stakeholders, and elected members to ensure it reflects the needs and aspirations of residents,” they added.

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A public consultation event on the ‘Top of the Hill Masterplan will take place on Tuesday, January 27 in The Chroi Centre on the Trench Road, with three sessions throughout the day running from 10.00am to 1.00pm, 2.00pm to 6.00pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

It will offer the chance for the local community to consider the design proposals for future regeneration in the area and give their views.

anyone who wanted their child to attend Naíscoil an Phiarsaigh in September to make an online application HERE.