St Michaels College
Dublin 4, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 731 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60561G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Michael’s College is a Catholic secondary school situated on Ailesbury Road, Dublin. Established in 1944 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritans), the college began as a junior school for boys and was expanded in 1975 to become a full‑time secondary institution. Today the school operates through a partnership of lay staff and religious members, and it is placed under the patronage of St Michael the Archangel, whose motto “Quis ut Deus?” – “Who is like unto God?” – frames the college’s ethos. The college promotes a collaborative educational approach that actively involves parents, teachers and students in the pursuit of academic excellence. This partnership creates a positive synergy recognised in several Department of Education and Science evaluations, including a Whole School Evaluation Report published in 2020. A broad range of initiatives support learning, such as dedicated study‑skills resources, evening study programmes and the Tyro online system for timetables and attendance, reflecting the school’s commitment to modern, student‑centred education.
History
St Michael’s College was founded in 1944 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritans) as a Catholic junior school for boys. In 1975 the school was extended to become a full secondary school. It now functions through a partnership of lay staff and religious, under the patronage of St Michael the Archangel, whose challenge “Quis ut Deus?” guides the college’s mission.
Applying to St Michaels 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 Michaels 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 Michaels College
How many pupils attend St Michaels College?
St Michaels College has 731 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Michaels College a DEIS school?
No. St Michaels 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 Michaels College?
St Michaels College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.