St. Patrick's Comprehensive School
Clare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 765 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 363 girls, 402 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 81007U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Patrick's Comprehensive School is a mixed secondary school in Shannon, County Clare, known locally as 'The Comp'. Established in 1966, it holds the distinction of being Ireland's first comprehensive school. Enrolment is approximately 765 students. The school offers Junior Cycle, Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Applied and LCVP. Subject options include English, Maths, Irish, French, German, History, Geography, Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Agricultural Science, Business, Accounting, Economics, Graphics, Engineering, Construction, Wood Technology, Home Economics, Music, Politics and Society, and Religion. Extra-curricular activities include sports, music and musicals, green schools initiatives, lunch clubs, mentoring and a Girls in STEM programme. The school received a grant in 2021 under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan to address digital accessibility for students from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. Funding purchased devices for LCA students, upgraded WiFi in designated classrooms, and installed charging cabinets and a SMART TV in an AEN classroom.
History
St. Patrick's Comprehensive School was established in 1966 in Shannon, County Clare. It is recognised as Ireland's first comprehensive school. The school has since developed a range of programmes and activities, including musicals, a Christmas market and a careers fair. It runs an astroturf campaign and a Shannon Guingamp Exchange programme. The school maintains an alumni network and a student council.
Applying to St. Patrick's Comprehensive 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. Patrick's Comprehensive 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. Patrick's Comprehensive School
How many pupils attend St. Patrick's Comprehensive School?
St. Patrick's Comprehensive School has 765 pupils enrolled, 363 girls and 402 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Patrick's Comprehensive School a DEIS school?
No. St. Patrick's Comprehensive 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. Patrick's Comprehensive School?
St. Patrick's Comprehensive School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.