St Pauls
Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 465 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 220 girls, 245 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63101K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard is a co‑educational voluntary secondary school situated in the heart of County Galway. Under the trusteeship of CEIST, the school delivers a Catholic‑based education that prioritises both academic achievement and the holistic development of each pupil. The ethos is centred on nurturing self‑esteem, fostering mutual respect and applying the core values of the gospel in everyday life, while promoting spiritual and human growth within a caring, safe community. The campus combines modern learning environments with extensive sporting facilities. Academic spaces include two specialised science laboratories, a demonstration room, a fully equipped computer suite, dedicated rooms for woodwork, home economics and art, as well as a careers office. Recent extensions have added a construction studies suite, technical drawing room and additional classrooms to accommodate growing enrolments. Sporting provision features a spacious sports hall, three outdoor courts and a football pitch, supporting a wide range of extra‑curricular activities and competitions. The school’s mission is to nurture the academic and personal development of every student, encouraging them to “be the best that you can be” and to act justly and responsibly within the wider community.
History
St Paul’s Secondary School was founded in 1964 by the Mercy Sisters as the third co‑educational secondary school in County Galway, initially operating from two rooms in St Joseph’s Convent. As enrolment grew, prefabricated classrooms were added, including dedicated spaces for woodwork, science and home economics. On 15 October 1990 the Minister for Education laid the foundation stone for a new purpose‑built school, which opened on 12 December 1991, featuring modern science labs, a demonstration room, woodwork, computer, home economics and art rooms, a careers office, dining areas and a sports hall with courts and a football pitch. A 1999 extension introduced a canteen, technical drawing room and additional facilities. In 2007 CEIST assumed trusteeship, reinforcing the school’s commitment to quality teaching, respect, community and justice. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2014, and a 2015 state‑of‑the‑art extension added a construction studies suite and two classrooms. Notable principals have included Sr Finian Concannon (1964‑1971) through to the current leadership.
Applying to St Pauls
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 Pauls. 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 Pauls
How many pupils attend St Pauls?
St Pauls has 465 pupils enrolled, 220 girls and 245 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Pauls a DEIS school?
No. St Pauls 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 Pauls?
St Pauls has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.