Dominican College
Drumcondra, Dublin
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 799 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60690R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Dominican College is a Catholic secondary school for girls in Drumcondra, Dublin, with an enrolment of 799. The school operates under the Le Chéile Trust and uses the motto "Veritas". The curriculum includes the Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle and Transition Year, with a range of subjects offered at Junior Cycle including Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, Business Studies, Gaeilge, Music, CSPE, History, Physical Education, Digital Media Literacy, Home Economics, Religious Education, English, Maths, Science, SPHE and Wellbeing. Extra-curricular activities include Gaelic Football, Camogie, Soccer, Basketball, Athletics, Drama and Choir. The school has a library, learning support and a digital learning plan. It is recognised as a Google for Education Premier Reference School.
History
Dominican College opened on 10 January 1882 at 18/19 Eccles Street, two weeks after the arrival of the Dominican Sisters. The school prepared pupils for the Intermediate Board Examination, and numbers grew quickly. The foundation stone of a new block was laid on 31 May 1888, and a white marble stone blessed by Pope Leo XIII was set inside the building. A university education for women emerged at Eccles Street, with students presenting for Royal University degree examinations. St Mary's University Centre transferred to Eccles Street in 1902, and a training college for women secondary teachers was established in 1908. A Junior Boys' School, St Thomas' Academy, opened in 1898 and closed in 1965. Scoil Chaitríona opened in 1928 and transferred to Mobhí Road, Glasnevin in 1972. A residential Commercial College operated from 1931 to 1978. In 1983 the school had almost 800 pupils. When the Mater Hospital sought the Eccles Street buildings, the school moved to a new site in the grounds of All Hallows College, Drumcondra, in September 1984.
Applying to Dominican 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 Dominican 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 Dominican College
How many pupils attend Dominican College?
Dominican College has 799 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Dominican College a DEIS school?
No. Dominican 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 Dominican College?
Dominican College has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.