Colaiste An Phiarsaigh
Corcaigh, Cork
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 578 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 310 girls, 268 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 62301N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste an Phiarsaigh is a co-educational Catholic secondary school in Gleann Maghair, Co. Chorcaí, with an enrolment of 578 students. All subjects are taught through Irish. The school states its aim as promoting the personal, social, educational and professional development of students and preparing them as independent, responsible and participative members of society. The curriculum includes the New Junior Cycle, Transition Year and the Leaving Certificate. The school also offers a range of extracurricular activities. Its motto emphasises building a community through Irish: "Pobal le Gaeilge, Pobal le Chéile" (a community with Irish, a community together). The school operates under the patronage of Gaedhealachas Teoranta, an organisation founded to promote the Irish language and Irish culture.
History
Gaedhealachas Teoranta was founded in 1940 by a small group who believed action was needed to preserve Irish and Gaelic culture, partly in response to the Second World War. The organisation established a summer college at Garraí Bhoithe in 1944, and later ran summer colleges in Corca Dhuibhne, Oileán Chléire and An Geata Bán. In the 1950s, Gaedhealachas Teoranta purchased Teach Ghleann Maghair and its lands, and Scoil na nÓg was founded there in 1958. A boarding school for boys opened at Trabolgan in 1959, officially opened by President Éamon de Valera. In 1961, the organisation launched 'Agus', a monthly magazine of prose and poetry. Coláiste an Phiarsaigh opened in September 1973 with 30 students, named after Pádraig Mac Piarais, educator and patriot. The school building, Teach Ghleann Maghair, is a Georgian house with a history dating back to the 18th century, having passed through several owners before being acquired by Gaedhealachas Teoranta in 1956.
Applying to Colaiste An Phiarsaigh
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 Colaiste An Phiarsaigh. 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 Colaiste An Phiarsaigh
How many pupils attend Colaiste An Phiarsaigh?
Colaiste An Phiarsaigh has 578 pupils enrolled, 310 girls and 268 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Colaiste An Phiarsaigh a DEIS school?
No. Colaiste An Phiarsaigh 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.
Does Colaiste An Phiarsaigh teach through Irish?
Yes. Colaiste An Phiarsaigh teaches all subjects through Irish.