St Mary's Secondary School
Tipperary
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 577 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 65380E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Mary’s Secondary School in Nenagh provides a comprehensive post‑primary education that balances academic rigour with a vibrant programme of extra‑curricular activities. The school follows the Irish curriculum, preparing students for the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations while encouraging personal development through a range of enrichment opportunities. A digital prospectus and regularly updated news sections highlight the school’s commitment to transparent communication with pupils, parents and the wider community. The campus boasts dedicated facilities for a wide variety of sports and interests, including dedicated spaces for athletics, badminton, basketball, camogie, equestrian pursuits, football, handball and a senior film club. Regularly scheduled trips abroad – to Italy, France, Germany, Poland and London – and visits to national and local institutions broaden learners’ horizons and support experiential learning. An up‑to‑date school calendar and a robust timetable for extra‑curricular activities ensure that students can engage fully in both academic and non‑academic pursuits, fostering a well‑rounded education that prepares them for further study and active citizenship.
History
St. Mary's traces its origins to a pension school that opened in 1887 inside a former prison block of the old Gaol, which the Sisters of Mercy had bought. In 1913 the 'Round House', previously the Governor's residence, became the Intermediate School, and a Boarding School opened in 1927 within the building called St. Catherine's, formerly the remodelled female infirmary of the gaol. The Intermediate School was renamed St. Mary's Secondary School in 1929, and after moving location more than once, it settled in 1957 into the building that now forms the core of the school, within the convent grounds. The centenary year was marked by the construction of St. Joseph's Block. The boarding school, expanded with extra classrooms in 1959-60, closed in 1972, its space converted into classrooms. Transition Year was introduced in 1975, a further extension followed in 1980, and in 1982 a class was set up for students with special needs. A new sports complex and classroom extensions were completed in 2007.
Applying to St Mary's Secondary 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 Mary's Secondary 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 Mary's Secondary School
How many pupils attend St Mary's Secondary School?
St Mary's Secondary School has 577 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Mary's Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. St Mary's Secondary 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 Mary's Secondary School?
St Mary's Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.