At RSH, we pride ourselves on creating a warm, supportive, and homely environment for our students. Since joining in 2012, my goal has been to foster a caring atmosphere where boarders feel happy, secure, and engaged.
Our boarding department runs from Monday to Friday, offering a structured yet balanced routine with academic support, activities, and free time. Each weekend, students return home or to their Host Families, ensuring a healthy mix of school life and family time.
Over the years, we’ve built a close-knit, family-like community where everyone is known and valued. As a residential staff member, I’m here throughout the week alongside our dedicated team to provide care and support.
If you’re interested in learning more, please get in touch—I’d be happy to help!
Mrs Vicky Sloan
The Royal School in Raphoe has a rich history, rooted in a tradition of academic excellence and service. Established to provide a classical education, it originally catered to boys preparing for university, later evolving into a co-educational institution.
Over the centuries, the school relocated, expanded, and adapted to the changing needs of its students while maintaining its commitment to learning.
Today, its legacy lives on as part of The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, where the historic school house continues to serve as a home for boarding students, blending tradition with modern education.
Charter Granted
After years of preparation, the Royal School in Donegal officially opened its doors. A master was appointed to oversee the education of both day and boarding pupils, who paid fees to attend. The school quickly became a centre of learning, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for further study.
First School Opened
After years of preparation, the Royal School in Donegal officially opened its doors. A master was appointed to oversee the education of both day and boarding pupils, who paid fees to attend. The school quickly became a centre of learning, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for further study.
Relocated to Raphoe
The school relocated from its original site near Donegal Town to Raphoe. This move positioned the institution within a thriving community, allowing it to grow and develop. The new location provided a more permanent home for the school, ensuring its continued role in education.
The Royal School House Built
Bishop Nicholas Forster played a key role in shaping the school’s future by funding the construction of the Royal School House in Raphoe. This Georgian building, located next to Raphoe Cathedral, became the heart of the school. Its solid structure and thoughtful design reflected the importance placed on education and its enduring legacy.
Boarding offers a supportive, structured environment where students can thrive academically, build lifelong friendships, and enjoy a rich school experience. It’s a home away from home, fostering independence, confidence, and personal growth.
Boarding provides a balanced routine with academic guidance, dedicated study time, and a supportive environment to help students stay focused and achieve their best.
Living together fosters strong friendships and a true sense of community. Students build lasting connections, develop independence, and gain valuable life skills.
From evening activities to shared meal times, boarding life is full of opportunities to learn, grow, and create unforgettable memories in a home-from-home setting.
I had a really good experience at boarding school in the 1980s, so when the discussion came up about where our daughter would go to school, I was pretty open to the idea of boarding. I think that The Royal School House has been fantastic for our daughter, who is now in her fifth year there. It has given her the opportunity to spread her wings and learn a little bit about independence, how to get along with others, and how to organise herself.
As a parent of two past boarders, I cannot express my appreciation enough and highlight how much boarding influenced my children’s personal development and learning experiences.
The Royal School House is a special place, where young people are treated with respect and given the opportunity to thrive in their teenage years, yet within the boundaries of a safe environment. The skilled and caring staff enable them to develop personally and acquire vast life skills. I cannot recommend boarding at The Royal School House highly enough!
There’s a great safe and caring atmosphere in the place, and I know it’ll be the best place for my daughter to meet her potential.
All boarders must be awarded a place at The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School.
Apply for a boarding place at The Royal School House by getting in touch with us.
Apply for the SEC Grant to cover the cost of boarding fees (if eligible).
Boarding at The Royal School House is more than just a place to stay—it’s a vibrant community where students grow, learn, and build lifelong friendships. With dedicated pastoral care, exciting activities, and a supportive environment, our boarders thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Discover what makes boarding life so special.
The Royal School House is a detached, seven-bay, three-storey building characterised by its symmetrical design and Georgian architectural elements. The central five-bay block is flanked by advanced single-bay three-storey wings on either end of the south-facing front elevation. Originally constructed as a two-storey structure, a third floor was added around 1800, along with various extensions and service blocks to the west and rear.
Key architectural features include:
Hipped artificial slate roofs with projecting cut stone eave courses and cut stone chimneystacks.
Ruled-and-lined smooth rendered walls over a projecting plinth.
Square-headed window openings with cut stone sills and replacement windows.
Venetian windows on the ground floor of the projecting wings, featuring ashlar sandstone surrounds and mullions, and cut stone cornices.
A central square-headed doorway with a timber panelled door, bolection mouldings, and a distinctive overlight with a spider’s web motif.
