St Mac Dara's Community College
Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 915 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 452 girls, 463 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 70260V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Mac Dara’s Community College is a multi‑denominational, mixed secondary school operating under the patronage of the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board. The college delivers a broad‑based curriculum that combines academic subjects with a wide range of extra‑curricular programmes, including adult education, student council activities, career guidance and a Transition Year offering. Its educational philosophy centres on community, care, equality, respect and excellence, aiming to provide a safe, just environment where every learner can develop both academically and personally. The school prides itself on a modern, innovative approach to teaching and learning, utilising contemporary techniques and well‑equipped facilities to support high standards of instruction. A dedicated and caring staff work to nurture students’ potential, encouraging them to become well‑rounded individuals prepared for further study, employment and the wider challenges of life beyond the classroom.
History
St Mac Dara’s Community College opened its doors in 1982 with 66 pupils. Since then it has grown substantially, guided by the motto “Ar Aghaidh” (“Forward”). The college is named after the 6th‑century Irish monk St Mac Dara, who had historic ties to the local area before establishing a hermitage off the coast of County Galway. Over the decades the school has built a reputation for excellence across all areas of second‑level education.
Applying to St Mac Dara's Community 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 Mac Dara's Community 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 Mac Dara's Community 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 Mac Dara's Community College
How many pupils attend St Mac Dara's Community College?
St Mac Dara's Community College has 915 pupils enrolled, 452 girls and 463 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Mac Dara's Community College a DEIS school?
No. St Mac Dara's Community 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 Mac Dara's Community College?
St Mac Dara's Community College has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.