Townawilly is a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe

Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe

The Diocese of Raphoe is a Roman Catholic diocese in north-western Ireland. It is one of eight suffragan dioceses which are subject to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Armagh. The current Bishop of Raphoe is The Most Rev. Dr. Philip Boyce, D.D., O.C.D.. He was enthroned as bishop on 1 October...

 in County Donegal

County Donegal

County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...

, Ireland. Townawilly parish is situated near Donegal Town. The spelling of this placename can also be found as 'Tawnawully', after the Irish 'Tamhnach 'a Mhullaigh'.

Townawilly Tenantry School

The Commissioners of Education in their 1848 report mention that they had build a 'substantial' school in Townawilly.

In 1858 the Commissioners reported that pupils attending the school got little educational benefit as the master could not speak Irish, while the junior classes could not speak English. The total number on the roll was 87. All were free students and only three were non-Catholic.