Dominican College
Galway
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 564 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 62990Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dominican College, Taylor's Hill, Galway is a post‑primary school for girls that combines a long tradition of Dominican education with a modern, holistic approach to learning. The college aims to develop pupils academically, sporting, artistic, social and musical talents, encouraging them to reach their full potential in a supportive and nurturing environment. High expectations are set across all areas, and a wide‑ranging curriculum is complemented by a strong emphasis on personal development and responsibility. The school boasts extensive facilities, including two dedicated computer suites, four state‑of‑the‑art science laboratories, two Home Economics rooms, an art room and data‑projectors in every classroom. Sporting provision features an artificial hockey pitch, a gym with an international‑size basketball court and a fully equipped fitness suite. A broad extra‑curricular programme offers hockey, basketball, Gaelic football, soccer, athletics, a running club, debating, glee club, choir, music lessons and an annual school musical, providing ample opportunities for pupils to explore and excel beyond the classroom.
History
The Dominican presence in Galway began in 1644 when the first Irish Dominican nuns established a community. After surviving Cromwell’s forces, exile in Spain, the Penal Laws and the Great Famine, the nuns settled at Seaview on Taylor’s Hill on 4 June 1845. A Day School for Young Ladies opened in 1858, followed by the Mount St Joseph’s Boarding School in 1859. Subsequent expansions included the Rosary School (1958) and St Dominic’s boarding school (1901), which was replaced in 2007 by a new, state‑of‑the‑art building.
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 564 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as 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.