Beech Hill College
Monaghan
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 897 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 428 girls, 469 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 72210Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Beech Hill College is an all‑inclusive, co‑educational second‑level college operating under the Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board. It offers a quality learning environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential as competent citizens. The curriculum is broad and balanced, encompassing the Junior Certificate, Junior Certificate School Programme, Transition Year, Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied, and Leaving Certificate Vocational programmes, alongside specialised provision for students with special educational needs. Formal academic study is complemented by a wide range of informal curricular activities, fostering intellectual, moral, emotional, spiritual, social and physical development. The college places a strong emphasis on the arts and sport, providing dedicated spaces for music, drama, visual arts and a variety of athletic pursuits. Wellbeing services, a modern canteen, and a virtual tour showcase the supportive and safe environment that underpins daily life. Strong links with the wider community and a partnership ethos ensure that resources and expertise are shared, enriching the educational experience and preparing students for further education, employment and active citizenship.
History
The site now occupied by Beech Hill College was originally the Beech Hill Nursing Home. In September 1972 the County Monaghan VEC identified the location as suitable for a second‑level school and purchased the 17‑acre property for £50,000 in October 1972. The transfer from the former Glen Road vocational school was completed in September 1979, marking the college’s official opening. Since then the college has expanded its provision from the original Intermediate and Leaving Certificate courses to a comprehensive suite of programmes, including Transition Year, vocational and special‑needs pathways, and has become part of a School Completion Programme consortium.
Applying to Beech Hill 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
View Beech Hill College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Beech Hill College. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Beech Hill College
How many pupils attend Beech Hill College?
Beech Hill College has 897 pupils enrolled, 428 girls and 469 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Beech Hill College a DEIS school?
Yes. Beech Hill 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 Beech Hill College?
Beech Hill College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.