De La Salle College
Waterford
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,023 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64950O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
De La Salle College, Waterford is an all‑boys Catholic secondary school that describes itself as a learning community where every pupil is valued and prepared for a meaningful life. The college’s educational ethos is rooted in the Lasallian tradition of St John Baptist De La Salle, emphasising a human and Christian education that nurtures mature, responsible citizens who can contribute positively to both society and the Church. Teaching is delivered through a blend of traditional classroom instruction and modern digital tools, including a school‑wide Google Classroom platform that supports collaborative learning and access to resources beyond the classroom. The college offers a broad programme of academic and extracurricular activities. Pupils benefit from a structured timetable that incorporates regular mass on Sundays, a school calendar of events, and a noticeboard for timely information. A vibrant student life is evident through sports teams, coffee mornings, International Academy projects and various clubs that promote kindness, leadership and personal development. The school’s facilities are designed to support both academic achievement and holistic growth, fostering an environment where students can learn, listen and grow together.
History
The De La Salle Brothers first arrived in Waterford in 1887 when they were invited to take charge of a school in the city’s poorest district. The former Saint Stephen’s School, originally a boarding and day school, had been taken over by the Waterford Corporation and re‑opened as the High School of the Catholic University of Ireland before closing in 1886. On 8 October 1887 the Brothers commenced classes for boys aged eleven to thirteen in a three‑storey building on Bachelors Walk. Later that year the Brothers acquired the Newtown Scholasticate, a six‑acre site previously used by the order in Castletown, Co Laois. The property was purchased for £1,700 and expanded with a third storey to accommodate the growing community. In 1890 Brother Justin McMahon secured the support of Bishop John Egan to establish a Training College for teachers, which opened under the leadership of Brother Severus Harvey (later succeeded by Brother Thomas Kane). The new college building was blessed and opened on 16 July 1891 by Bishop Browning of Ossary, with Mass celebrated by Bishop Sheehan. Over the ensuing decades the college trained generations of teachers who went on to influence education throughout Ireland. In 1932 the Minister for Education, Professor O’Sullivan, approved the establishment of a new school for boys within the unused portions of the Waterford Model School premises, further expanding the college’s role in the community.
Applying to De La Salle College
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 De La Salle College. 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 De La Salle College
How many pupils attend De La Salle College?
De La Salle College has 1,023 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is De La Salle College a DEIS school?
No. De La Salle College 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 De La Salle College?
De La Salle College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.