Coláiste Muire
Sligo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 325 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 152 girls, 173 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 65140H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Coláiste Muire is a co‑educational secondary school situated in Ballymote, County Sligo, serving a wide catchment area across South County Sligo. Under the trusteeship of CEIST, the school delivers a six‑year programme for students aged 12‑18, encompassing the Junior Cycle, the Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and an optional Transition Year. The curriculum balances a strong core of English, Irish, Mathematics, History and Science with a broad selection of subjects such as modern languages, coding, geography, business studies, graphics, woodwork, home economics, music and art, allowing pupils to tailor their studies to individual interests and future pathways. The school’s facilities reflect its commitment to a holistic education. A fully equipped science laboratory (with a second lab added in 1991), a construction studies room, and specialist workshops for woodwork and technical drawing support practical learning. The 1991 extension also introduced a modern library, arts and crafts room, career and pastoral spaces, and a full‑size gymnasium with a viewing balcony, adjoining changing rooms, and direct access to a three‑acre playing field and two hard‑court areas. Complementary extra‑curricular programmes in sport, music, drama and charitable work further enrich the student experience, while a dedicated school app facilitates communication and access to resources.
History
Coláiste Muire originated as a girls’ secondary school in 1942, operating from the convent community room and a small adjoining space. In 1957 a new premises, fully funded by the Mercy Order, opened, making the school one of the first co‑educational voluntary secondary schools in the West of Ireland. A science laboratory was added in 1967, followed by a 1979 extension that provided additional classrooms, specialist rooms and introduced woodwork and technical drawing. The 1991 expansion brought a second science laboratory, library, arts and crafts room, career and pastoral rooms, offices, and a full‑size gymnasium with viewing balcony, changing facilities, a three‑acre playing field and two hard courts. Further classrooms were added in subsequent years, and a construction studies room was commissioned in 2003. In 2008 the trusteeship transferred from the Mercy Order to CEIST, and the school celebrated its golden 50th anniversary.
Applying to Coláiste Muire
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 Muire. 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 Muire
How many pupils attend Coláiste Muire?
Coláiste Muire has 325 pupils enrolled, 152 girls and 173 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste Muire a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste Muire 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 Muire?
Coláiste Muire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.