Coláiste Chiaráin
Athlone, Roscommon
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,040 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 500 girls, 540 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 68325L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Chiaráin is a Catholic Voluntary Secondary School situated in Summerhill, Athlone, County Roscommon. Operating under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Elphin, the college welcomes students from all backgrounds and faith communities and delivers a broad, balanced curriculum across the Junior Cycle, Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. The school’s ethos places the learner at the centre of every decision, fostering holistic development through a supportive, nurturing environment that encourages academic excellence, personal growth and active participation in a wide range of co‑curricular and extracurricular activities. The college benefits from a modern, purpose‑built campus completed in 2020, designed to provide ample space and natural light, creating an atmosphere that avoids the feeling of being “boxed in”. State‑of‑the‑art facilities support a diverse programme of subjects and clubs, including STEM, creative arts, music, drama, sport, debating, and a well‑stocked library. Regular monitoring, awards systems and detailed reporting underpin a culture of high expectations, while the school’s commitment to student wellbeing and leadership development ensures that each pupil can reach their full potential.
History
Coláiste Chiaráin was established in 2017 through the amalgamation of St Joseph’s College and St Aloysius College. The new school building was completed and handed over in 2020, providing contemporary facilities that reflect the spiritual and educational tradition of the nearby historic site of Clonmacnoise. Since its inception, the college has been guided by a Board of Management comprising parents, teachers and community members, with a recent change of chairmanship in 2020.
Applying to Coláiste Chiaráin
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 Coláiste Chiaráin. 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 Coláiste Chiaráin
How many pupils attend Coláiste Chiaráin?
Coláiste Chiaráin has 1,040 pupils enrolled, 500 girls and 540 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Chiaráin a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Chiaráin 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 Coláiste Chiaráin?
Coláiste Chiaráin has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.