Meánscoil Iognáid Ris
Kildare
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,013 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61710C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Meánscoil Iognáid Rís is an all‑boys Catholic voluntary secondary school operating under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. The college delivers a broad curriculum across the Junior Cycle, Transition Year and Senior Cycle, with a strong emphasis on Christian values such as respect, justice and integrity. A warm, welcoming atmosphere is cultivated through close collaboration between staff, parents and pupils, and the school places particular importance on inclusive practice, supporting learners of all abilities, special needs and backgrounds to achieve their full potential. The campus combines historic and modern facilities. After the original site was established in 1871, the school moved to its present location on Corban’s Lane in 1958 and has since been expanded with extensions in 1981, 1995, 2005 and a four‑storey addition in 2010, followed by a comprehensive refurbishment in 2011. Ongoing development includes an all‑weather sports facility, complementing a vibrant extracurricular programme that features robotics, badminton, football, soccer and a range of other sporting and cultural activities. The school’s ethos, modern learning environments and extensive facilities aim to provide a high‑quality education within a supportive, values‑driven community.
History
Meánscoil Iognáid Rís traces its origins to 1871 when three Christian Brothers founded a school in Naas, initially housed in the building now known as Moat Hall. In 1958 the secondary school relocated to its current site on Corban’s Lane. Subsequent building programmes added extensions in 1981, 1995 and 2005, and a substantial four‑floor extension was completed in 2010, followed by a full refurbishment of the original structures in 2011. The school is presently constructing an All‑Weather Sports Facility. Governance is provided by a Board of Management comprising trustees, parents and staff representatives. Enrolment now exceeds 1 014 pupils, drawing from a wide catchment area that blends town and rural communities. The school’s mission remains the provision of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition, fostering a respectful, just and inclusive environment.
Applying to Meánscoil Iognáid Ris
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 Meánscoil Iognáid Ris. 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 Meánscoil Iognáid Ris
How many pupils attend Meánscoil Iognáid Ris?
Meánscoil Iognáid Ris has 1,013 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Meánscoil Iognáid Ris a DEIS school?
No. Meánscoil Iognáid Ris 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 Meánscoil Iognáid Ris?
Meánscoil Iognáid Ris has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.