St Raphaels College
Loughrea, Co. Galway
749 studentsMixedSecondaryTY
Work-to-rule: some evening events, including open nights, may not go ahead. Check with the school. What it means
Applying for September 2027
- Applications open
- Tuesday, 6 October (passed)
- Applications close
- Friday, 6 NovemberEnrolment form submission deadlineAdd to calendar
- Offers by
- Wednesday, 18 NovemberAdd to calendar
- Accept by
- Friday, 27 NovemberAdd to calendar
From the school's website (1), the school's website (2), checked 17 October. Always confirm with the school.
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Students this year
749 students: 353 girls and 396 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 130
- 2nd year
- 132
- 3rd year
- 124
- TY
- 106
- 5th year
- 134
- 6th year
- 123
Transition Year: 106 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
What it costs
- Tuition fees
- None. The school is in the free education scheme.
- Schoolbooks
- Free in every year, including TY, under the free schoolbooks scheme.
We haven't found this school's voluntary contribution or device policy yet. What secondary school costs, and the schemes that help
At a glance
St Raphaels College is a voluntary secondary school in Loughrea, Co. Galway (Eircode H62 K271). St Raphaels College has 749 students: 396 boys and 353 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Voluntary secondary school
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 396 boys, 353 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Patron
- CEIST
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- No
- Roll number
- 63070C
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is St Raphaels College?
- St Raphaels College is a voluntary secondary school in Loughrea, Co. Galway (Eircode H62 K271).
- How many students go to St Raphaels College?
- St Raphaels College has 749 students: 396 boys and 353 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of St Raphaels College?
- Thomas Cafferky is the principal of St Raphaels College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is St Raphaels College a mixed school?
- Yes. St Raphaels College takes both boys and girls.
- Is St Raphaels College fee-paying?
- No. St Raphaels College is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.
- What is the ethos of St Raphaels College?
- St Raphaels College has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is CEIST.
- Does St Raphaels College teach through Irish?
- No. St Raphaels College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does St Raphaels College have Transition Year?
- 106 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
- Is St Raphaels College a DEIS school?
- No. St Raphaels College is not part of the DEIS programme.
- Where can I read St Raphaels College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by St Raphaels College's roll number, 63070C, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near St Raphaels College?
- The closest is St Brigids College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.
Closest secondary schools
| School | Distance | Students | Boys and girls | Type | Fees | Next date | Irish-medium | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Raphaels CollegeThis school | 749 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Fri, 6 Nov | No | No | |
| St Brigids CollegeLoughrea | 300 m | 751 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| St Killian's College (Coláiste Chilleáin Naofa)Ballinasloe | 12.4 km | 168 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Clárin CollegeAthenry | 16.6 km | 1,140 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | No |
| Coláiste an EachréidhBaile Átha an Rí | 16.8 km | 234 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | Yes | No |
| Presentation CollegeAthenry | 17.3 km | 1,100 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | No |
| Mercy CollegeLoughrea | 19.9 km | 157 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Wed, 21 Oct | No | No |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
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Contact
LoughreaCo Galway
H62K271
- Principal: Thomas Cafferky on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 087 295 9381
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: saintraphaels.ie
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- SN Ide Naofa100 m
- St Brendans NS300 m
- Gaelscoil Riabhach1.7 km
- SN Cillini Dioma3.8 km
- Scoil Naomh Eanna5.8 km
Next school holidays
- In 9 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
- In 10 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
- In 17 weeksFebruary mid-term breakMon, 15 February to Fri 19 February 2027
These dates are set for every secondary school in Ireland. Check with St Raphaels College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar