St. Mel's College
Longford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 603 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
- 63750B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mel's College is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Longford town, with an enrolment of 603 students. The school has DEIS status. It operates the Junior Cycle, Transition Year and Senior Cycle programmes, with subjects including Irish, English, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Business Studies, French or German, and practical options such as Wood Technology, Graphics and Applied Technology. Classroom Based Assessments are a feature of the Junior Cycle, with results reported on a national descriptor scale. The school offers a range of extra-curricular activities including Gaelic football, soccer, rugby and basketball, as well as lunchtime clubs. The college describes itself as a "Telling School", with a pastoral approach that encourages pupils to talk about worries and concerns. The school grounds are self-contained within the town, with trees, green fields and sporting facilities. Evening study, a school uniform and a free schoolbooks scheme are among the practical supports available to students and families.
History
The college opened in September 1865 with 48 boarders and 25 dayboys, at a total cost of £16,000. Bishop Kilduff, who founded the college, died in 1867. For much of the 1870s the college operated as a major seminary, and approximately 650 former students were ordained priests between 1865 and 2000. The Theology class was discontinued in 1879. Student numbers fell to 17 boarders and 19 dayboys in 1884, but recovered after Bishop Hoare established scholarships in 1896. Irish was introduced to the curriculum in 1908. The college won its first All Ireland Senior Football final in 1948, and won the Hogan Cup again in 1962, 1963 and 1987. Boarding was phased out from 2000, with the last boarding students departing in 2002. The first lay principal was appointed that year. Transition Year was introduced in 2008. The college celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015.
Applying to St. Mel'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. Mel'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. Mel's College
How many pupils attend St. Mel's College?
St. Mel's College has 603 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Mel's College a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Mel's College is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of St. Mel's College?
St. Mel's College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.