Coláiste Mhuire
Ennis, Clare
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,013 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61930Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Coláiste Muire is a Catholic post‑primary school for girls situated in Ennis, County Clare. Operating under the trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education an Irish Schools Trust), the school delivers a values‑based education that blends spiritual development with academic rigour. Its ethos is rooted in the Mercy tradition, fostering a supportive and caring environment where pupils are encouraged to grow in faith, self‑worth and personal responsibility. The college offers a modern, progressive curriculum complemented by a wide range of co‑curricular and extra‑curricular activities, including sport, music and community service. Emphasis is placed on innovation and curriculum development, ensuring that learners benefit from contemporary teaching methods and well‑equipped facilities. A dynamic Christian school community underpins the whole experience, aiming to nurture both academic excellence and holistic personal development for its students.
History
Coláiste Muire was founded by the Mercy Sisters, drawing inspiration from Catherine McAuley’s vision of education. The Sisters of Mercy established a house in Ennis in 1854 and opened the school on 5 September 1860. In 1941 the school moved to its present site on College Road and accommodated boarders from 1865 until 1984. Notable features of its heritage include a convent chapel built in 1869 with stained‑glass windows by Mayer & Co., later restored and re‑installed in 2004 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Sisters’ arrival in Ennis.
Applying to Coláiste Mhuire
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 Coláiste Mhuire's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Coláiste Mhuire. 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 Coláiste Mhuire
How many pupils attend Coláiste Mhuire?
Coláiste Mhuire has 1,013 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Mhuire a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Mhuire 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 Mhuire?
Coláiste Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.