Clongowes Wood College
Clane, Kildare
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 421 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61720F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Clongowes Wood College is a leading full‑boarding secondary school for boys aged 12‑18, situated on 550 acres of rolling countryside in Clane, County Kildare, about 30 km from Dublin. Set within a historic estate that includes farmland, extensive sports grounds and a range of modern teaching blocks, the college offers an exemplary physical environment that supports both academic and extra‑curricular development. The campus is deliberately mobile‑phone‑free during the school day, allowing students to focus on learning, with limited evening access to promote balanced use of technology. Rooted in the Catholic Jesuit tradition, the college’s educational ethos centres on forming “Men for Others” through a holistic programme that nurtures competence, conscience and compassion. Academic provision is complemented by a vibrant sporting, artistic and technological curriculum, while the boarding community provides a supportive, family‑like atmosphere. Full‑time boarding runs seven days a week, with regular half‑day weekends and extended breaks that enable strong family connections, fostering lifelong friendships and personal growth.
History
Clongowes Wood College was founded in 1814 when Father Peter Kenney SJ reopened the Jesuit presence in Ireland after the order’s suppression (1773‑1814). It became Ireland’s first Jesuit school, established on an estate that had previously housed a castle built in 1450 by the Eustace family. The Jesuits, known as the “Educators of Europe,” had operated covertly during the Penal Laws but entered openly into secondary education after those restrictions lifted. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries the college played a significant role in training Catholic leaders for the emerging independent Ireland, and its alumni have since distinguished themselves in business, sport, politics and the arts.
Applying to Clongowes Wood 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 Clongowes Wood 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 Clongowes Wood College
How many pupils attend Clongowes Wood College?
Clongowes Wood College has 421 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Clongowes Wood College a DEIS school?
No. Clongowes Wood College is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Clongowes Wood College?
Clongowes Wood College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.