Loreto College
Mullingar, Westmeath
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 825 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63290Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Loreto College, Mullingar is a Catholic voluntary all‑girls secondary school that welcomes over 820 pupils. The college’s mission is to provide a Christian, caring community of learning where mutual cooperation, respect and justice underpin the development of each student’s talents and potential. A strong emphasis is placed on holistic education, encouraging academic excellence alongside a vibrant extracurricular programme in music, sport and the arts, and fostering a multicultural environment where pupils share their diverse cultures and experiences. The school benefits from modern facilities that have been expanded over the decades. Recent developments include a new gymnasium, upgraded office space converted into additional classrooms, and enhanced playing areas featuring basketball courts. Earlier extensions added a new hall, dormitories, a careers room, a prayer room and further classroom space, supporting a broad curriculum and a supportive learning atmosphere. Staff are encouraged to engage in ongoing professional development to maintain a rich and dynamic educational environment for students.
History
Loreto College, Mullingar was established in 1881 by Most Rev. Dr Nulty, Bishop of Meath, with the support of Sister Frances Kerrigan of the Mercy Convent, Trim, and the provision of land from Lord Greville. On 25 March 1881 three nuns arrived from Loreto Convent, Navan, to open the school as a day‑school, which by 1900 had ten boarders. The convent and school have been enlarged several times: an extension in August 1960 added a new hall, dormitories and classrooms; in the summer of 1995 additional space created a careers room, prayer room and extra classroom; and on 5 May 2011 a major extension and refurbishment introduced a new gymnasium, expanded office space, and new playing areas including basketball courts. The college’s ethos traces back to the founding of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Mary Ward in 1585, whose vision of education for girls underpins the school’s values of truth, freedom, justice, sincerity and joy.
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
View Loreto College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Loreto College. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 825 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.