Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet
Mayo
Key facts
- DEIS
- Gaeltacht
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 265 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 126 girls, 139 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64570E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet is a co‑educational voluntary Catholic secondary school operating under the trusteeship of CEIST. The school delivers a holistic, student‑centred education that balances academic rigour with the spiritual, emotional, social and cultural development of each pupil. A strong emphasis is placed on academic excellence, with a track record of high progression rates to third‑level institutions, while a supportive environment caters for a range of learning abilities, including a dedicated ASD class. The campus boasts modern, state‑of‑the‑art facilities and a wide array of extra‑curricular opportunities. Sporting excellence is encouraged through well‑maintained pitches, basketball courts and a variety of clubs and societies. The school’s inclusive ethos promotes respect, honesty, justice and kindness, fostering a caring atmosphere that prepares students to become responsible adults in an ever‑changing world.
History
The origins of the school date back to 1894 when the Parish Priest of Binghamstown invited the Sisters of Mercy from Ballina to manage the local workhouse. After the workhouse closed in 1921, the Sisters opened a school, initially renting a house in Logmore in 1924 to run a commercial and music school and a private junior school. In 1943, at the request of the Belmullet community, a secondary school was established under Sister Catherine McGoohan, with a boarding wing added in 1946. Extensions in 1953, 1962 (including a large hall) and between 1967‑1973 expanded classroom space and sports facilities, and co‑education began in 1959. The Sisters taught at the school until 2002, maintaining high educational standards rooted in the Mercy charism. In May 2015, Taoiseach Enda Kenny officially opened a new school building.
Applying to Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet
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's Secondary School Belmullet. 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's Secondary School Belmullet
How many pupils attend Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet?
Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet has 265 pupils enrolled, 126 girls and 139 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet a DEIS school?
Yes. Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet 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.
Does Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet teach through Irish?
Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet is located in a Gaeltacht area, where Irish is a community language. The Department of Education record for the school lists no subjects taught through Irish.