Despite the existence of two Gaelscoils in the town, it was found that very few of the children attending the Ballymagroarty nursery, Naíscoil Mhaol Íosa, were transfering to them as they were too far away. With the support of the existing parents, the school committee brought in new classrooms and opened the school officially in September 2005. The opening duties were performed by Derry City manager, Stephen Kenny who had a child at the nursery, while Oisín MacEo' was appointed as the first school principal.
In the subsequent years, a further two teachers have been appointed, new classrooms added, the nursery has filled to capacity, a partnership has been entered into with Sure Start to open a creche and the Irish language community in the area has expanded.
