Jesus & Mary Secondary School
Crossmolina, Mayo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 541 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 274 girls, 267 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64630T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Gortnor Abbey is a co‑educational post‑primary institution set in a tranquil rural location beside Lough Conn in north County Mayo. The school operates under the trusteeship of the Le Chéile Trust and follows the values of the Religious Sisters of Jesus and Mary, fostering a caring community where every pupil feels known and valued. A strong ethos of belonging, responsibility and faith underpins the curriculum, which aims to develop both academic excellence and personal growth. The college places a particular emphasis on innovation and future‑ready skills. It is a pilot school for the Leaving Certificate subject *Climate Action and Sustainable Development* and provides a 1:1 Chromebook programme for all incoming first‑year students, supporting collaborative learning and digital competence. Robust student‑support structures include a dedicated Learning Support Department, specialised Claudine classes for students with ASD, and a transition programme for new entrants. A vibrant student voice is encouraged through a student council and a flexible, student‑led senior‑cycle curriculum, with a record twenty‑nine Leaving Certificate subjects offered, ranging from Russian to Mandarin. Beyond academics, Gortnor Abbey offers extensive sporting facilities, playing grounds and courts, and maintains a strong tradition in music and the arts. Participation in a wide range of extracurricular activities helps pupils build confidence, friendship and a sense of community.
Applying to Jesus & Mary Secondary 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 Jesus & Mary Secondary 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 Jesus & Mary Secondary School
How many pupils attend Jesus & Mary Secondary School?
Jesus & Mary Secondary School has 541 pupils enrolled, 274 girls and 267 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Jesus & Mary Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. Jesus & Mary Secondary 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 Jesus & Mary Secondary School?
Jesus & Mary Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.