St Muredach's College
Ballina, Mayo
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 403 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64510J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Muredach's College is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Ballina, County Mayo, operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Killala. Enrolment is approximately 403 students. The school opened in 1906 and describes itself as child-centred, with a stated commitment to building students' learning capacity. The curriculum includes the Junior Cycle, Transition Year and Leaving Certificate programmes. Junior Cycle core subjects are Irish, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Religious Education, Physical Education, SPHE and CSPE. Optional subjects for second and third year include Applied Technology, Business Studies, French, German, Graphics, Music and Wood Technology. Extra-curricular activity listed on the school's programme includes soccer, rugby, basketball, music, trips and tours, and debates and quizzes. The school provides learning support and guidance counselling services. The college's motto is "viriliter agite", which it translates as acting in a manly way, and it states its ethos as rooted in honesty, loyalty, self-esteem and a love of learning.
History
The idea for St Muredach's College was first proposed in 1901 by Dr. Conmy, a former Bishop of Killala, in response to the absence of any secondary school between Belmullet and Sligo. The school first opened on September 10th, 1906, with 76 boarders. The original building was designed by W.H. Byrne, with contractors McKee and McNally, and the final cost came to £16,000. In 1924, the British Junior, Middle and Senior Examinations were replaced by the Free State's Intermediate and Leaving Certificate Examinations. A new extension with three classrooms and a dormitory was built in 1937 at a cost of £3,000. Following the introduction of Free Education in 1967, enrolment grew and technical subjects such as Mechanical Drawing, Woodwork, Art and Construction were introduced. A further extension in 1969 added six classrooms, an Art room and a Woodwork room. Boarders were phased out from 1987. A new building with a Chemistry laboratory, Woodwork room, Art room and classrooms came into use in 1990, and a canteen opened in 2004.
Applying to St Muredach'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 Muredach'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 Muredach's College
How many pupils attend St Muredach's College?
St Muredach's College has 403 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Muredach's College a DEIS school?
No. St Muredach'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 Muredach's College?
St Muredach's College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.