Wesley College
Dublin 16, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 942 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 459 girls, 483 boys
- Ethos
- Methodist
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61010U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Wesley College is a co‑educational day and boarding secondary school situated on a spacious campus in Ballinteer, Dublin, having relocated from its original St Stephen’s Green premises in 1969. The college delivers a broad‑based curriculum that balances rigorous academic study with a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including sport, music, drama and community service. Its facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, a library, dedicated arts spaces and extensive sports fields, supporting both competitive and recreational pursuits for pupils of all abilities. Rooted in the Methodist tradition, the school embraces an inclusive ethos that welcomes students of all faiths and none. The college’s motto, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good,” underpins a moral and ethical framework that promotes tolerance, social justice and personal responsibility. Daily assemblies and special services reinforce this ethos, while the Religious Education programme encourages understanding of diverse beliefs without acting as a faith‑formation course. Wesley College therefore aims to nurture academic curiosity, confidence and independent learning within a caring, diverse community.
History
The idea of a Wesleyan Methodist grammar school in Ireland was first discussed in 1839, leading to a formal meeting in Belfast on 16 May 1844 that resolved to establish a Wesleyan Proprietary Grammar School. Although initially planned for Belfast, the founders chose Dublin for its transport links and larger population, leasing No. 79 St Stephen’s Green. The school opened on 1 October 1845 with a small cohort of boarders and day pupils. Early years were marked by financial insecurity, inadequate premises, and high staff turnover. Expansion continued through the 19th century with additional leased houses, a sports field in Rathmines and new schoolrooms. In 1879 the institution was officially renamed Wesley College, and the present Ballinteer campus was designed by architect Alfred Gresham Jones to accommodate 100 boarders and 200 day boys. The college became co‑educational in 1911 and has since evolved into a modern, inclusive secondary school.
Applying to Wesley 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
View Wesley College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Wesley College. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Wesley College
How many pupils attend Wesley College?
Wesley College has 942 pupils enrolled, 459 girls and 483 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Wesley College a DEIS school?
No. Wesley 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 Wesley College?
Wesley College has a Methodist ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.