St Aloysius School
Cork
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 323 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 62630J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Aloysius School, Cork is an all‑girls voluntary secondary school founded by the Sisters of Mercy and governed by a Board of Management. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while delivering a holistic education that balances rigorous academic challenge with the development of spiritual, moral, aesthetic, interpersonal and physical wellbeing. A broad, flexible curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of each pupil, supported by experienced staff who foster confidence, self‑respect and a sense of justice. The campus overlooks a tree‑lined field beside the River Lee and comprises bright, airy classrooms, a well‑equipped library, science laboratories, a music room, home economics suites and a modern computer suite. Sporting facilities include playing fields, tennis courts and a gym hall, while dedicated spaces such as a canteen, guidance and support centre, and after‑school study club enhance the learning environment. Extra‑curricular programmes, digital learning initiatives and strong partnerships with parents further enrich student life, preparing young women for academic success and active community participation.
History
St. Aloysius School was founded in 1839 in a large room on Rutland Street at the suggestion of Mother Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. In 1852 the school moved to the present‑day St. Maries of the Isle convent, teaching in two rooms with a garden playground. A new building across the road, known as “The Old School”, opened in 1893 and was demolished in 1978. After purchasing the Railway Field in 1924, the “New School” opened in 1927, followed by a New Wing in 1962 and further expansions in 1972 that added an upper storey, additional classrooms, laboratories, a library, gym hall and a canteen. Subsequent upgrades introduced a computer room, music room, science labs and home economics rooms. In 2019 the school celebrated its 180th anniversary of involvement in education.
Applying to St Aloysius 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 St Aloysius 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 St Aloysius School
How many pupils attend St Aloysius School?
St Aloysius School has 323 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Aloysius School a DEIS school?
No. St Aloysius 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 St Aloysius School?
St Aloysius School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.