East Glendalough School
Wicklow Town, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 365 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 170 girls, 195 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 81016V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
East Glendalough School is a co‑educational secondary school that delivers a broad curriculum approved by the Department of Education, complemented by a wide range of sports and extra‑curricular programmes. Established in 1987 to serve the Protestant community of the eastern half of the Glendalough diocese, the school’s ethos centres on nurturing each pupil’s full potential, encouraging personal maturity and fostering a caring, constructive contribution to society. Small‑class sizes enable individualised attention while the school remains large enough to offer a diverse selection of academic, artistic and athletic opportunities. The campus occupies an open, south‑facing site of approximately 3.2 hectares adjacent to Wicklow town railway station. Facilities include twelve general classrooms, specialist rooms for Home Economics, Science, Arts and Crafts, Metalwork and Computer Studies, a well‑stocked library and a modern gymnasium. Outdoor amenities feature three playing pitches, an astroturf pitch (added 2008), and landscaped grounds. Recent developments comprise a dedicated Arts building (2010) and an ASD Unit (2014), with funding currently being pursued for a new sports hall to further enhance the school’s sporting provision.
History
The concept of a comprehensive Protestant secondary school in Wicklow was first raised at the Church of Ireland Synod in 1977. After extensive diocesan planning, the Department of Education granted sanction in 1984, leading to the appointment of a Board of Management in 1986. The school opened its doors on 2 September 1987 with 67 pupils and nine teachers, moving into its purpose‑built modern building in February 1988. Officially inaugurated by President Patrick Hillery in May 1989, the school expanded in 1991 with a substantial extension opened by Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke. Subsequent enhancements include an astroturf pitch (2008), a new Arts building (2010) and an ASD Unit (2014); funding is now being sought for a new sports hall.
Applying to East Glendalough School
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 East Glendalough School. 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 East Glendalough School
How many pupils attend East Glendalough School?
East Glendalough School has 365 pupils enrolled, 170 girls and 195 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is East Glendalough School a DEIS school?
No. East Glendalough School 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 East Glendalough School?
East Glendalough School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.