O Carolan College
Meath
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 725 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 309 girls, 416 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71980O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
O’Carolan College is a co‑educational DEIS secondary school situated in Nobber, County Meath, and operates under the patronage of the Louth & Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB). The college promotes a holistic educational ethos centred on “saothar agus sonas” – hard work and happiness – aiming to develop students’ academic potential, personal resilience and community spirit. A strong emphasis is placed on excellence in education, care, community, respect and equality, with a curriculum that blends rigorous academic study with a wide range of extra‑curricular programmes such as engineering projects, ICT design, basketball and other sports, fostering both practical skills and teamwork. The school provides modern learning environments supported by dedicated student, staff and parent portals, enabling seamless access to timetables, resources and communication tools. Facilities include specialised spaces for science, technology and engineering, as well as areas for physical education and pastoral care, ensuring a safe and supportive setting for personal development. Partnerships with local businesses and industry enhance career‑related learning, while the active Parents Association and vibrant social media presence help maintain strong community links.
Applying to O Carolan College
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 O Carolan College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to O Carolan College. 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 O Carolan College
How many pupils attend O Carolan College?
O Carolan College has 725 pupils enrolled, 309 girls and 416 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is O Carolan College a DEIS school?
Yes. O Carolan College is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of O Carolan College?
O Carolan College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.