St Columbas College
Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 983 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 495 girls, 488 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 62861F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Columba’s College, Stranorlar is a Catholic Voluntary Secondary School operating under the trusteeship of CEIST. It presents itself as a welcoming and inclusive community where Gospel values underpin everyday life, fostering an environment of respect, care and excellence. The college aims to develop well‑rounded individuals through a balanced focus on academic achievement, moral development and personal growth, offering the full range of Irish secondary programmes – Junior Cycle, Transition Year and Senior Cycle – alongside a strong emphasis on religious education and guidance for future careers. The school highlights a collaborative ethos, encouraging creativity, compassion and teamwork among pupils, staff and families. Facilities mentioned include a dedicated school canteen, a Learning Zone for independent study, and a range of extracurricular opportunities such as student leadership programmes and a Parent’s Association. Comprehensive support services are provided through child safeguarding, guidance and careers advice, ensuring a caring and supportive atmosphere that nurtures each student’s potential.
Applying to St Columbas College
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 Columbas College. 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 Columbas College
How many pupils attend St Columbas College?
St Columbas College has 983 pupils enrolled, 495 girls and 488 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Columbas College a DEIS school?
No. St Columbas College 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 Columbas College?
St Columbas College has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.