Mercy Secondary School Westmeath
Westmeath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 740 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 349 girls, 391 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63221U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan is a voluntary co‑educational secondary school founded in 1964 by the Sisters of Mercy. Guided by the gospel and legacy of Catherine McAuley, the school places a strong emphasis on supporting the poor and disadvantaged, fostering a caring and inclusive community where students feel safe and valued. The curriculum is delivered within a modern, state‑of‑the‑art campus that was opened in 2023, providing contemporary classrooms, specialist laboratories, and extensive ICT resources to support a broad range of academic subjects. The school also prioritises holistic development through a wide array of extracurricular activities. Students regularly compete in debating, business‑focused mini‑company projects, and athletics such as cross‑country, reflecting a commitment to personal growth beyond the classroom. Physical education is well‑resourced, with dedicated playing fields, pitches and a fully equipped gymnasium, encouraging fitness and teamwork. Together, these facilities and programmes aim to nurture each learner’s potential in a supportive, enjoyable environment.
History
Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan traces its origins to 1948 when Mother Philomena McDonald began teaching secondary pupils in a few rooms of the local National School. The school achieved its first Leaving Certificate success in 1952 with a 100 % pass rate. In 1964 the institution became one of the first convent schools in Ireland to admit boys, expanding its facilities and staff to accommodate co‑education. The 1980s saw further growth, including the introduction of European tours. A landmark change occurred in 1999 with the appointment of the first lay principal, and in 2023 the school relocated to a new, purpose‑built campus, continuing its tradition of educational excellence.
Applying to Mercy Secondary School Westmeath
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 Mercy Secondary School Westmeath's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Mercy Secondary School Westmeath. 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 Mercy Secondary School Westmeath
How many pupils attend Mercy Secondary School Westmeath?
Mercy Secondary School Westmeath has 740 pupils enrolled, 349 girls and 391 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Mercy Secondary School Westmeath a DEIS school?
No. Mercy Secondary School Westmeath 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 Westmeath?
Mercy Secondary School Westmeath has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.