St. Jarlaths College
Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 762 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 128 girls, 634 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 68074M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Jarlath’s College is a voluntary Catholic, co‑educational secondary school situated in Tuam, County Galway. Operating under the trusteeship of the Archbishop of Tuam, the college’s mission is to educate, inspire and empower every member of its community. The school delivers a progressive academic curriculum that prepares students for the Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate and further education, while maintaining high expectations and a strong record of academic achievement. Beyond the classroom, St Jarlath’s places a strong emphasis on a balanced education. A wide range of extracurricular activities, including sport, music, drama and various clubs, are offered to develop students’ talents and social skills. Robust pastoral care is provided through a dedicated student support team comprising year heads, academic monitors, an anti‑bullying officer, a special education needs coordinator and a guidance counsellor. The college also benefits from a chaplain who leads liturgical celebrations, reinforcing the school’s Catholic ethos and fostering a supportive, caring environment for all learners.
History
Founded in 1800, St Jarlath’s College has evolved from a historic boys’ school into a modern co‑educational secondary institution while retaining its Catholic heritage and commitment to academic excellence.
Applying to St. Jarlaths 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
View St. Jarlaths College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to St. Jarlaths College. 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: 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. Jarlaths College
How many pupils attend St. Jarlaths College?
St. Jarlaths College has 762 pupils enrolled, 128 girls and 634 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Jarlaths College a DEIS school?
No. St. Jarlaths 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. Jarlaths College?
St. Jarlaths College has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.