Gonzaga College
Ranelagh, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 576 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
- 60530S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gonzaga College SJ is a Jesuit day school for boys founded in 1950, currently educating around 560 pupils. The college’s ethos is built around forming young men of competence, conscience, courage and compassion, guided by the Jesuit principle of *magis* – the pursuit of the greater good. Academic life is underpinned by a commitment to justice, with a curriculum that encourages intellectual rigour, spiritual development and active service to the wider community. The campus is undergoing a major “Campus 2030 – Building for Tomorrow” transformation. Recent and planned facilities include the Coulson Theatre, the Sutherland Library, a modern Dining Hall, sixteen new classrooms, a state‑of‑the‑art STEM centre, a dedicated Arts centre with sound‑proofed rehearsal spaces, and an Interactive Teaching & Learning Hub offering collaborative multimedia environments. Sporting provisions feature a 3G all‑weather pitch, upgraded weight‑training equipment and expanded changing rooms, supporting a strong tradition in athletics and team sports. These developments aim to enrich the student experience, promote diversity and inclusion, and provide a template for innovative education in Ireland.
History
Gonzaga College was established in the early 1950s as a Jesuit day school for boys. Since its inception the college has embraced continual development inspired by the Jesuit value of *magis*. A nine‑year “Campaign for Excellence” concluded in 2016, delivering the Coulson Theatre, Sutherland Library, Dining Hall, new classrooms and upgraded sports facilities. Building on this legacy, the current “Building for Tomorrow” initiative targets further expansion by 2030, including a new 3G pitch, a STEM centre, an Arts centre, and an Interactive Teaching & Learning Hub, alongside the Fr John Sullivan Access Bursary Programme to broaden educational access.
Applying to Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga College
How many pupils attend Gonzaga College?
Gonzaga College has 576 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Gonzaga College a DEIS school?
No. Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga College?
Gonzaga College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.