Our Ladys College
Drogheda, Louth
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 965 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63850F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda, is a Catholic secondary school for young women that operates under the trusteeship of CEIST – Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust. The college delivers a balanced curriculum that encourages each pupil to develop at her own pace, while embedding Gospel values and a strong Catholic ethos throughout school life. Working in partnership with parents and the local community, the college prioritises pastoral care, high standards of teaching and learning, and the cultivation of an appreciation for the beauty of its surroundings. The school benefits from a modern campus that has been expanded several times since its original construction in the 1960s, with major extensions completed in 1979 and 1998. Facilities support a wide range of academic subjects and extracurricular activities, providing students with the resources needed to achieve their full potential. The college’s mission reflects the legacy of Nano Nagle, aiming to educate the marginalised and to foster an environment where every student recognises her own worth.
History
Our Lady’s College was founded on its present Greenhills site in 1940 by the Presentation Sisters, who managed the school until 1986. From 1986 to 2008 the school was overseen by a Board of Management comprising representatives of the Presentation Order, parents and staff. Since 2008 the college has been under the trusteeship of CEIST. The present building was opened in 1965 with the financial assistance of Cardinal Cushing of Boston. Following the introduction of free secondary education in 1968 the school expanded rapidly, with major extensions completed in 1979 and 1998. The college’s roots trace back to the first Presentation school opened in Drogheda in 1813 on Fair Street, marking a long‑standing tradition of female education in the region.
Applying to Our Ladys 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Our Ladys College. 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 Ladys College
How many pupils attend Our Ladys College?
Our Ladys College has 965 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Our Ladys College a DEIS school?
No. Our Ladys College 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 Our Ladys College?
Our Ladys College has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.