Loreto Secondary School
Donegal
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 938 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 62840U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Loreto Secondary School, Letterkenny is a Catholic secondary school dedicated to the holistic development of each girl. The school’s mission is to nurture personal responsibility for learning within a safe, caring and spiritual environment, guided by the Loreto values of justice, freedom, truth, sincerity and joy. A broad, balanced curriculum is offered, encouraging self‑directed learning and academic excellence while fostering social, creative, physical and moral well‑being. The school provides a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities, ranging from sport, music, dance and drama to a variety of clubs, societies and craft workshops, enabling students to acquire lifelong skills and enjoy a vibrant community life. Modern facilities include a concert hall built in 1939 and successive extensions (1972, 1978, 1986 and a further development completed in 2004), which together accommodate over a thousand pupils and support a wide array of learning and recreational spaces. The inclusive ethos, strong pastoral care and extensive co‑curricular options make Loreto Letterkenny a dynamic centre for personal and academic growth.
History
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Order) was founded in England by Mary Ward in the 17th century and introduced to Ireland in 1821 by Mother Frances Teresa Ball. In 1854 Bishop Dr McGettigan invited the Order to establish a secondary school for girls in Letterkenny, providing the house that remains the convent’s nucleus. The day‑school opened on 4 September 1854 with five pupils. A new wing with a concert hall was added in 1939, with further extensions in 1972, 1978 and 1986; a later extension was completed for occupation in September 2004. The school was an all‑Irish medium institution from the 1920s until 1976 and ceased boarding in 1978. Today it is one of nineteen Loreto secondary schools in Ireland, with enrolment exceeding one thousand students.
Applying to Loreto 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 Loreto 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 Loreto Secondary School
How many pupils attend Loreto Secondary School?
Loreto Secondary School has 938 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Loreto Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. Loreto 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 Loreto Secondary School?
Loreto Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.