Colaiste Rís
Dún Dealgan, Louth
Key facts
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 616 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 246 girls, 370 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- Some pupils taught all subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 63880O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Rís is a co‑educational Catholic secondary school situated in the heart of Dundalk and operates under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. The school places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, personal development and community spirit, offering a broad curriculum that includes instruction through the Irish language and a range of extracurricular activities such as debating, sport and science projects. Its ethos is rooted in Christian values while welcoming pupils of all faiths, reflecting the multicultural character of contemporary Ireland. The campus has evolved continuously since its foundation, most recently with the addition of a modern technology wing funded by a former pupil, providing state‑of‑the‑art facilities for ICT, design and engineering studies. Extensive sports provisions, specialist classrooms and well‑maintained communal areas support a holistic learning environment. Coláiste Rís strives to prepare students for further education and the wider world, encouraging critical thinking, creativity and respect for cultural heritage.
History
Coláiste Rís, originally Dundalk CBS, opened on 10 May 1869 after the Christian Brothers were invited by Archbishop Kieran of Armagh. Founded by Brother Yorke, the school quickly grew to 500 boys within its first year, prompting major extensions. Notable early staff included John Philip Holland, later famed for inventing the submarine. The institution embraced the Irish Free State in 1922, introduced Irish‑medium instruction, and won the Corn na Dála in 1934. Subsequent achievements span sport, debating and science. In 1987 the first cohort of eleven girls enrolled, and in 1990 the Brothers handed management to the Armagh Diocese, renaming the school Coláiste Rís. The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019.
Applying to Colaiste Rís
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 Rís. 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 Rís
How many pupils attend Colaiste Rís?
Colaiste Rís has 616 pupils enrolled, 246 girls and 370 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Colaiste Rís a DEIS school?
No. Colaiste Rís 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 Rís teach through Irish?
Partly. Colaiste Rís teaches some subjects through Irish.