Mercy College Woodford
Loughrea, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 157 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 81 girls, 76 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63171I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mercy College Woodford is a Catholic co‑educational second‑level school that welcomes pupils from across the local community. As a Mercy school it places a special emphasis on the education of the poor and disadvantaged, striving to create a caring environment where Christian values and mutual respect are at the heart of everyday life. The college offers a broad curriculum that caters for Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, Transition Year and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, ensuring that each student can pursue academic excellence alongside personal growth. The school is committed to the holistic development of its learners, providing for their spiritual, social, personal and physical needs. Facilities support a wide range of activities, from well‑equipped classrooms and science labs to dedicated spaces for sports, arts and a SEN garden that highlights the college’s inclusive ethos. Strong partnership with parents underpins the college’s approach, enabling it to respond effectively to the educational needs of the community within the resources available.
Applying to Mercy College Woodford
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 Mercy College Woodford. 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 Mercy College Woodford
How many pupils attend Mercy College Woodford?
Mercy College Woodford has 157 pupils enrolled, 81 girls and 76 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Mercy College Woodford a DEIS school?
No. Mercy College Woodford 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 Mercy College Woodford?
Mercy College Woodford has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.