Presentation Secondary School
Tralee, Kerry
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 517 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61450C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Presentation Secondary School, Tralee is an all‑girls Catholic post‑primary college that blends a long‑standing Presentation Sisters heritage with a forward‑looking, student‑centred ethos. The school strives to develop each pupil academically, creatively, physically, morally and spiritually, offering a balanced curriculum that spans the sciences, arts, technology and sport. Innovative, immersive learning experiences are designed to ignite curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning, while a strong emphasis on equality, diversity and community engagement prepares students to become confident global citizens. The campus sits on a spacious site adjacent to the town park and features modern facilities that support a wide range of activities, from state‑of‑the‑art science laboratories and dedicated art studios to extensive sporting provisions. Partnerships with parents and the wider community enrich the educational experience, providing additional resources and collaborative opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. The school’s mission is to empower young women to excel, lead and make a positive impact locally and internationally.
History
Presentation Secondary School Tralee traces its roots to 9 July 1809 when the Presentation Sisters arrived in Tralee to educate local children. Their first school was established in the Blackpool area, later moving to the Parish Church, with a purpose‑built school erected in 1824. In the 1850s a new school was constructed with the support of the community. The present institution, operating under the trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education – an Irish Schools’ Trust), officially opened as *Meánscoil na Toirbhirte* on 15 March 1985 on its current large site near the town park.
Applying to Presentation Secondary School
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 Presentation Secondary School. 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 Presentation Secondary School
How many pupils attend Presentation Secondary School?
Presentation Secondary School has 517 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Presentation Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. Presentation Secondary School 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 Presentation Secondary School?
Presentation Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.