Patrician Academy
Mallow, Cork
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 568 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 62330U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Patrician Academy is a Catholic Voluntary Secondary School situated on Fair Street in Mallow, County Cork, operating under the trusteeship of the Diocese of Cloyne. The academy delivers a broad and balanced curriculum that includes the full Junior Certificate programme, a three‑year Senior Cycle culminating in the Leaving Certificate, and a compulsory Transition Year. In addition to mainstream subjects, the school provides alternative programmes for students with specific learning requirements and special educational needs, supported by dedicated resources such as a Special Education Unit and a Resource classroom. The campus combines historic buildings with modern facilities. Recent developments include a state‑of‑the‑art sports hall and gymnasium opened in 2012, upgraded science laboratories, a contemporary language laboratory, a computer room with internet and digital projectors in every classroom, and extensive playing fields for basketball, tennis and other sports. A Digital Learning Team, alongside initiatives such as the Cineálta anti‑bullying plan and the BeLonG To LGBTQ+ programme, underlines the academy’s commitment to a safe, inclusive and technologically enriched learning environment.
History
The site originally housed a monastery, with a primary school erected in 1867. The Patrician Brothers arrived in Mallow on 15 October 1879, establishing the Academy. Over the following decades the school expanded repeatedly: a single‑storey Academy building (1904), a Science and Art room (1911), additional storeys and classrooms (1924, 1936, 1969, 1973, 1992‑1994), and specialised facilities such as a Woodwork room (1971, 1977), a modern language laboratory (1993) and a state‑of‑the‑art computer room (1994). The last Patrician Brother left in 1994, after which lay leadership began. Significant recent milestones include the refurbishment of the Junior Block and the opening of a new Sports Hall/Gymnasium by Bishop William Crean in 2012.
Applying to Patrician Academy
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 Patrician Academy. 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 Patrician Academy
How many pupils attend Patrician Academy?
Patrician Academy has 568 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Patrician Academy a DEIS school?
No. Patrician Academy 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 Patrician Academy?
Patrician Academy has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.