St Kieran's College
College Rd, Kilkenny
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 831 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61560J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Kieran’s College is a diocesan secondary school situated in the heart of County Kilkenny, offering a full junior and Leaving Certificate programme. The college provides a broad curriculum that balances academic rigour with a strong emphasis on extracurricular development, particularly in Gaelic games where it has a celebrated hurling tradition, recently retaining the Croke Cup for a record 25th time. Modern teaching facilities support a range of subjects, and dedicated spaces are available for science, technology, arts and sport, fostering a well‑rounded education for students aged 12‑19. The school operates a structured academic calendar that includes regular induction days for first‑year pupils, scheduled parent‑teacher meetings, work‑experience placements for Transition Year students and a series of examinations throughout the year. A comprehensive timetable of events – from sports days and cultural activities to exam periods and holiday breaks – ensures that pupils experience a balanced school life. St Kieran’s also maintains an extensive archive of college records dating back to the 1960s, reflecting its long‑standing role in the community and its commitment to preserving its heritage.
Applying to St Kieran's 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 Kieran's 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 Kieran's College
How many pupils attend St Kieran's College?
St Kieran's College has 831 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Kieran's College a DEIS school?
No. St Kieran's 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 Kieran's College?
St Kieran's College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.