Archbishop Mchale College
Tuam, Galway
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 479 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 163 girls, 316 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71390Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Archbishop McHale College is a co‑educational, multidenominational community college situated in Tuam and operated under the patronage of the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board. The school is founded on five core values – excellence in education, care, equality, community and respect – which shape a learning environment that balances academic rigour with personal development. Small‑group teaching is a hallmark of the college, allowing greater interaction between students and teachers, early identification of individual needs and the encouragement of each pupil to reach their full potential. The college places a strong emphasis on holistic education, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities, charity initiatives and community projects that foster teamwork, leadership and social responsibility. Facilities support a modern curriculum, including dedicated spaces for science, technology, arts and sport, enabling students to explore diverse interests alongside their academic studies. The supportive ethos of the school aims to create a close‑knit community where every voice is heard and every student feels valued.
Applying to Archbishop Mchale College
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Archbishop Mchale College. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Archbishop Mchale College
How many pupils attend Archbishop Mchale College?
Archbishop Mchale College has 479 pupils enrolled, 163 girls and 316 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Archbishop Mchale College a DEIS school?
Yes. Archbishop Mchale College is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Archbishop Mchale College?
Archbishop Mchale College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.