Loreto College
Rivervalley, Dublin
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 655 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60810B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Loreto College, Swords is a Catholic all‑girls secondary school that fosters a caring, enabling learning community. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Loreto tradition and the values of its founder Mary Ward, with a daily emphasis on truth, freedom, justice, sincerity and joy. Academic life is complemented by a strong Christian moral framework, encouraging mutual respect between staff and students and promoting personal development alongside scholastic achievement. The college offers a range of modern facilities, including an extension added in 2004 that provides two new meeting rooms, an enlarged office suite and additional classroom space. A virtual tour showcases well‑equipped science labs, a library, and dedicated areas for sport and the arts. Co‑curricular programmes such as first‑year soccer, swimming galas, geography field trips and Maths Week enrich the student experience and support a holistic education.
History
Loreto College, Swords opened in September 1988 after relocating from North Great Georges Street, where the Loreto school had operated since 1837. The institution traces its origins to Mary Ward (1585‑1645) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, introduced to Ireland by Frances Teresa Ball in 1821. Construction began on 1 March 1987 and the college welcomed 120 first‑year pupils and 552 students overall on its opening day. It was officially blessed and opened on 13 April 1989. An extension was added in 2004, and the school celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2018, with a current enrolment of around 629 pupils.
Applying to Loreto 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 Loreto 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 Loreto College
How many pupils attend Loreto College?
Loreto College has 655 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Loreto College a DEIS school?
No. Loreto 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 Loreto College?
Loreto College has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.