Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne
Drimnagh, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 289 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 124 girls, 165 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60991I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Drimnagh, is a co‑educational post‑primary institution that has been serving its local community since 1973. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes the Junior Certificate programme, a Transition Year with a strong emphasis on personal development, and both Leaving Certificate Applied and Established streams. Partnerships with Business in the Community, Clikln and the Trinity Access Programme (TA21) enrich the learning experience and provide students with valuable work‑place and further‑education opportunities. The school’s ethos is built around the “3 Rs” – Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Responsible – and a commitment to social justice, ensuring that every member of the community is treated fairly and with dignity. A whole‑school approach to teaching and learning underpins daily practice, featuring a common lesson structure, assessment for learning, differentiation in mixed‑ability classrooms and cooperative teaching to promote inclusivity. A wide range of spiritual and human development programmes, such as the S.P.H.E. programme, Lifeskills, wellbeing initiatives and career guidance, support the holistic growth of each pupil. Recent development work includes a substantive Emergency Works Scheme (2021‑2022) and an approved extension project (planning permission granted July 2023) slated for implementation in 2025‑2026, further enhancing the school’s facilities for future generations.
History
The parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel was established on 9 April 1943, with Fr Eugene Trainor appointed as its first parish priest. On 10 January 1944 the National Schools complex – then one of the largest in Europe – was officially opened by Minister for Education Thomas O’Derrig. A Secondary Top was introduced in 1956, providing education up to the Intermediate Certificate, and in 1967 a full secondary school for girls was opened, offering Leaving Certificate courses. Our present co‑educational secondary school, Our Lady of Mercy, was founded in September 1973 and now serves students from the parish and beyond its boundaries.
Applying to Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne
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 Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne. 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 Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne
How many pupils attend Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne?
Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne has 289 pupils enrolled, 124 girls and 165 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne a DEIS school?
Yes. Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne 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 Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne?
Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary School Mourne has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.