Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts
Wexford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 573 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 281 girls, 292 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19739N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in Wexford town, catering for approximately 600 pupils. The school’s ethos, “Ní neart go cur le chéile – Together we grow”, underpins a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment where children of all nationalities, faiths and abilities are respected and supported. Learning is child‑centred, with a strong emphasis on social, emotional and academic development, and a commitment to fostering empathy, creativity and leadership through a broad, stimulating curriculum. The campus provides a range of specialist facilities, including the Rainbow ASD classrooms, a state‑of‑the‑art OT room, a Sensory Room and the adjoining Rainbow Garden for outdoor sensory experiences. An all‑weather pitch supports a vibrant sport programme, while the school band, Nurture Room and various co‑curricular activities enrich pupils’ holistic development. Strong partnerships with parents, guardians and the wider community are central to school life, ensuring collaborative decision‑making and a supportive network for every learner.
History
Scoil Mhuire opened its doors in September 1983 after a local fundraising effort raised £100,000 to purchase the Coolcotts Lane site. The first principal, Tim Galvin, led a staff team that welcomed almost 250 pupils, establishing a Catholic ethos while remaining the only primary school in Wexford town not founded by a religious order, thus embracing families of all faiths. Rapid growth saw enrolment reach 500 pupils by the early 1990s, with notable staff such as author Eoin Colfer. In 1997 a fire destroyed a wing, but the community repaired it within a day. The school gained Disadvantage (DEIS) status, enhancing resources for disadvantaged children and creating the Home School Community Liaison role. A major extension opened in 2008, adding new classrooms, the Rainbow ASD rooms, an OT and Sensory Room, and a dedicated sensory garden. Subsequent milestones include a 2009 documentary, the establishment of a school band, the 2015 appointment of a new principal, the 2017 introduction of a Nurture Room and walking track, and resilient responses to storm damage and COVID‑19 closures, culminating in recent interior redecorations with corridors named after Irish trees.
Applying to Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts
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
View Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts' own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 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 Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts
How many pupils attend Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts?
Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts has 573 pupils enrolled, 281 girls and 292 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts 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 Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts?
Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.