New Deputy Principal Appointed to Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny

Person standing in front of a sign - Aoife Nash. — Newly appointed Coláiste Ailigh Deputy Principal Aoife De Náis.

Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Aoife De Náis as the new Deputy Principal of Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny.

Aoife vacates the post as Deputy Principal of Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, which she took up in 2022, having worked there as a Physical Education and Maths Teacher after graduating from the University of Limerick in 2001. As well as having an active role in NCCA and PDST Physical Education, Aoife holds a Master’s degree in Health Promoting Schools and a postgraduate qualification in School Leadership from Ulster University.

Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny is an Irish-speaking school managed by Donegal ETB. Seán Mac Suibhne is the school Principal. It has a school population of almost 330 students and thirty staff members. Aoife replaces the former Deputy Principal, Rosa McLaughlin.

Aoife, in expressing delight at her appointment, said, “I am excited to join the Coláiste Ailigh management team and support the school’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and Irish culture. I admire the school’s focus on supporting all aspects of student development and its strong promotion of the Irish language.”

Two people shaking hands - Aoife Nash and Martin Gormley. — Newly appointed Coláiste Ailigh Deputy Principal Aoife De Náis with Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley.

Congratulating Aoife on her appointment, Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools with Donegal ETB, said: “I warmly welcome Aoife to the senior leadership and management team of Coláiste Ailigh. I congratulate her on this well-deserved appointment and wish her every success in her new role as she works closely with Principal Seán MacSuibhne. I would also like to sincerely thank Rosa McLaughlin, the outgoing Deputy Principal, for her outstanding contribution to the development of the school over the past number of years.”

Coláiste Ailigh is one of fifteen of the county’s twenty-seven post-primary schools under the management of Donegal ETB, the largest education and training provider in the county. In the previous academic year 2024-2025, over 6,000 students attended Donegal ETB post-primary schools.

Aoife takes up her appointment at the start of the new academic year.