Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk
Tralee,, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,322 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 738 girls, 584 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 68070E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk is a co‑educational Catholic secondary school in Tralee, County Kerry, operating under the CEIST ethos. The school delivers a holistic education that blends rigorous academic programmes with a strong emphasis on spiritual, personal and social development. Core values such as promoting spiritual and human growth, respect for every individual, and justice and responsibility underpin all learning experiences, fostering an inclusive community where every student can belong and thrive. The curriculum is complemented by a broad extracurricular portfolio, including nationally recognised science awards, competitive football teams for both boys and girls, and annual stage productions. State‑of‑the‑art facilities are showcased through a virtual tour, highlighting modern classrooms, specialist rooms for STEAM subjects, and dedicated spaces for music, sport and pastoral care. A supportive teaching staff and a vibrant community ethos ensure that academic achievement is pursued within a caring environment that nurtures each pupil’s unique gifts and prepares them for responsible adult life.
History
The Sisters of Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831, arrived in Tralee in 1854 to aid the sick and poor. In 1855 a 16‑acre site at Balloonagh was donated, and the convent’s foundation stone was laid in May 1858, with completion in May 1861. The school’s origins trace to St. Mary’s Moyderwell (1872) and the “Secondary Top” established in 1925. Full secondary status was achieved in 1953, and in 1985 the school became co‑educational, becoming the only co‑educational convent secondary school in Tralee. Over the decades, successive principals expanded the institution, maintaining its commitment to education rooted in the Mercy tradition.
Applying to Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk
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 Secondary School Mounthawk. 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 Secondary School Mounthawk
How many pupils attend Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk?
Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk has 1,322 pupils enrolled, 738 girls and 584 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk a DEIS school?
No. Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk 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 Secondary School Mounthawk?
Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.