Duiske College
Kilkenny
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 141 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 70 girls, 71 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 70590T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Duiske College is a co‑educational secondary school situated on the historic border of County Carlow and County Kilkenny, in the centre of medieval Graignamanagh near the Cistercian Duiske Abbey. Operating under the Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB), the college provides a safe, caring and inclusive environment where respect, fairness and honesty are core values. The school’s learner‑centred ethos encourages high‑quality teaching and learning, fostering the personal development and dignity of every student and challenging them to achieve excellence in all endeavours. The college’s small class groups enable individual attention and close monitoring of each pupil’s academic and personal needs. Teachers act as reflective practitioners, creating a supportive atmosphere that promotes growth spiritually, emotionally, physically, creatively and socially. A range of facilities supports this holistic approach, including a newly redeveloped senior cycle area, a dedicated ASD classroom, a parent‑student support hub (HSCL/Parents’ Room), and extensive extracurricular provisions such as sports, clubs and wellbeing programmes. The school also participates in the HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme and offers comprehensive learning support services.
History
Duiske College was founded in 1954 as a co‑educational secondary school under the auspices of the former County Kilkenny Vocational Education Committee, now KCETB. Over nearly seven decades the college has evolved to become a modern learning community, continually expanding its facilities and programmes to meet the changing needs of its students while maintaining its historic roots in the Graignamanagh area.
Applying to Duiske 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 Duiske 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 Duiske College
How many pupils attend Duiske College?
Duiske College has 141 pupils enrolled, 70 girls and 71 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Duiske College a DEIS school?
Yes. Duiske College is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Duiske College?
Duiske College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.