When are secondary school open nights?

Most are held between mid-September and mid-October, before application windows open. Some schools run open mornings on a Saturday, and a few hold them as early as late August.

When do secondary school applications open?

Schools can't open applications before 1 October of the year before your child would start. For first year in September 2027, that means 1 October 2026 at the earliest. Each school sets its own window in its annual admission notice.

Do I have to go to the open night to get a place?

No. Under the Admission to Schools Act, a school can't make going to an open night a condition of applying or of getting a place, except for boarding places.

Where do these dates come from?

From each school's own website, including its annual admission notice, checked every week. Each date links to its source. Always confirm with the school, as plans can change.

Secondary school open nights in Co. Laois and application deadlines

Every date we know of for first year in September 2027, school by school, from schools' own websites. Always confirm with the school. We have dates for 4 of the 10 secondary schools in Co. Laois.

Work-to-rule: some open nights and information evenings may not go ahead while teachers' industrial action continues. Check with the school before you travel. What it means

Week of 19 October

Oct22 Portlaoise CollegeApplications close Thursday · 4pm · Portlaoise, Co. Laois Add to calendar
Oct23 St. Mary's C.B.S.Applications close Friday · 1pm · Portlaoise, Co. Laois Add to calendar
Oct24 St. Mary's C.B.S.Applications close Saturday · 1pm · Portlaoise, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Week of 2 November

Nov2 Clonaslee CollegeApplications close Monday · Clonaslee, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Week of 14 December

Dec16 Clonaslee CollegeOffers by Wednesday · Clonaslee, Co. Laois Add to calendar
Dec18 St Fergal's CollegeApplications close Friday · Rathdowney, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Week of 4 January

Jan8 Clonaslee CollegeAccept by Friday · Clonaslee, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Week of 11 January

Jan15 St Fergal's CollegeOffers by Friday · Rathdowney, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Week of 25 January

Jan29 St Fergal's CollegeAccept by Friday · Rathdowney, Co. Laois Add to calendar

Dates come from schools' own websites and are checked every week. Something wrong or missing? Use the form on the school's page. Show everything · What to ask at an open night · How admissions work

Questions parents ask

When are secondary school open nights?: Most are held between mid-September and mid-October, before application windows open. Some schools run open mornings on a Saturday, and a few hold them as early as late August.
When do secondary school applications open?: Schools can't open applications before 1 October of the year before your child would start. For first year in September 2027, that means 1 October 2026 at the earliest. Each school sets its own window in its annual admission notice.
Do I have to go to the open night to get a place?: No. Under the Admission to Schools Act, a school can't make going to an open night a condition of applying or of getting a place, except for boarding places.
Where do these dates come from?: From each school's own website, including its annual admission notice, checked every week. Each date links to its source. Always confirm with the school, as plans can change.

Schools in Co. Laois we haven't found dates for yet (6)

They may not have published them, or they may be on a page we can't read. Each school's page links to its website. We check again every week.