Tullow Community School
Tullow, Carlow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 901 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 447 girls, 454 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91356F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Tullow Community School is a multi‑denominational, mixed‑gender secondary school serving the town of Tullow and the wider Carlow community. It delivers a comprehensive post‑primary curriculum that includes the Junior Certificate, the Junior Cert Schools Programme, a voluntary Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, together with Post‑Leaving Cert courses offered through St Anne’s College. The school places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of each pupil, balancing academic rigour with spiritual, physical, vocational and social growth. A wide range of extra‑curricular activities enrich school life, from competitive hurling and other sports to leadership opportunities such as the Meitheal Programme, the Student Council and the Green Schools Committee. Fundraising initiatives, including community‑run events and talent shows, foster a sense of social responsibility. Modern facilities support learning and sport, including an all‑weather pitch and dedicated spaces for practical and vocational programmes, while the VSware online portal provides streamlined access to student records and resources.
History
Tullow Community School was founded in 1978 through the amalgamation of three historic institutions: the Brigidine Convent Secondary School, the Patrician Brothers Secondary School and Tullow Vocational School. The town’s educational heritage stretches back to the early 19th century, when Bishop Daniel Delany established both the Brigidine Sisters (1807) and the Patrician Brothers (1808), making Tullow unique in Ireland for giving birth to two religious orders. Over the decades these schools evolved, providing boarding, day‑pupil and vocational education, before merging to form the present community school, which continues the legacy of serving all children of the local community.
Applying to Tullow Community 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 Tullow Community 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 Tullow Community School
How many pupils attend Tullow Community School?
Tullow Community School has 901 pupils enrolled, 447 girls and 454 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Tullow Community School a DEIS school?
No. Tullow Community 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 Tullow Community School?
Tullow Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.