Coláiste pobail Fóla
Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 758 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 357 girls, 401 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 76594L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Coláiste Pobail Fóla is a newly established secondary school serving the rapidly growing communities of Citywest, Saggart, Newcastle, Rathcoole and Tallaght. Under the patronage of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, the college delivers a multidenominational, co‑educational curriculum that is both community‑focused and technologically advanced. Classrooms and learning spaces are equipped with modern digital resources, supporting innovative teaching methods and encouraging students to engage with a broad range of subjects and extracurricular activities. The school’s ethos is built on five core values – Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect – which shape a supportive and inclusive environment for all learners. Its visual identity, inspired by the Tara Brooch, the Celtic Awen symbol and the robin, reflects a deep connection to Irish cultural heritage and the school’s motto “Bí dílis duit féin” (“Be true to yourself”). These elements together aim to foster academic achievement, personal growth and a strong sense of belonging within the local community.
History
Coláiste Pobail Fóla was created following a successful campaign by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board to develop a new community college for the Citywest/Saggart area. Rather than adopting a generic name, the school embraced the Irish mythological figure Fóla to symbolise guardianship, learning and cultural pride. As a brand‑new institution, it was designed from the outset to serve the surrounding suburbs and to embody a modern, inclusive vision for secondary education in the region.
Applying to Coláiste pobail Fóla
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 pobail Fóla. 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 pobail Fóla
How many pupils attend Coláiste pobail Fóla?
Coláiste pobail Fóla has 758 pupils enrolled, 357 girls and 401 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Coláiste pobail Fóla a DEIS school?
No. Coláiste pobail Fóla 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 pobail Fóla?
Coláiste pobail Fóla has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.