Who is the principal of Balla Secondary School?

Teresa Walsh is the principal of Balla Secondary School, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Balla Secondary School a mixed school?

Yes. Balla Secondary School takes both boys and girls.

Is Balla Secondary School fee-paying?

No. Balla Secondary School 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 Balla Secondary School?

Balla Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Killala and Tuam.

Does Balla Secondary School teach through Irish?

No. Balla Secondary School teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Balla Secondary School a DEIS school?

No. Balla Secondary School is not part of the DEIS programme.

Where can I read Balla Secondary School's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Balla Secondary School's roll number, 64500G, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Balla Secondary School?

The closest is St Louis Community School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Balla Secondary School

Castlebar, Co. Mayo

476 studentsMixedSecondaryTY

Work-to-rule: some evening events, including open nights, may not go ahead. Check with the school. What it means

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Open night and deadlines Compare with others

Applying for September 2027

We haven't found this school's dates for September 2027 entry yet. Schools usually hold open nights from September and open applications from October; the admission notice on the school's website has the exact window.

We check school websites every week and add dates as soon as they're published. Visit the school's website.

Get this school's dates when they're published. Get a notification the day before an open night, and before applications close.

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How secondary admissions work · Open nights in Co. Mayo

Students this year

476 students: 233 girls and 243 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 86
2nd year: 80
3rd year: 87
TY: 78
5th year: 80
6th year: 65

Transition Year: 78 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

Balla Secondary School is a voluntary secondary school in Castlebar, Co. Mayo (Eircode F23 KT65). Balla Secondary School has 476 students: 243 boys and 233 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Voluntary secondary school
Boys and girls: Mixed · 243 boys, 233 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Catholic
Patron: Archbishop of Killala and Tuam
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: No
Roll number: 64500G

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 Balla Secondary School?: Balla Secondary School is a voluntary secondary school in Castlebar, Co. Mayo (Eircode F23 KT65).
How many students go to Balla Secondary School?: Balla Secondary School has 476 students: 243 boys and 233 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Balla Secondary School?: Teresa Walsh is the principal of Balla Secondary School, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Balla Secondary School a mixed school?: Yes. Balla Secondary School takes both boys and girls.
Is Balla Secondary School fee-paying?: No. Balla Secondary School 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 Balla Secondary School?: Balla Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Archbishop of Killala and Tuam.
Does Balla Secondary School teach through Irish?: No. Balla Secondary School teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Balla Secondary School have Transition Year?: 78 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 Balla Secondary School a DEIS school?: No. Balla Secondary School is not part of the DEIS programme.
Where can I read Balla Secondary School's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Balla Secondary School's roll number, 64500G, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Balla Secondary School?: The closest is St Louis Community School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Balla Secondary School compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Irish-medium	DEIS
Balla Secondary SchoolThis school		476	Mixed	Secondary	Free	No	No
St Louis Community SchoolKiltimagh	10.0 km	701	Mixed	Community school	Free	No	No
St Joseph's Secondary SchoolCastlebar	11.5 km	542	Girls	Secondary	Free	No	No
Davitt CollegeCastlebar	11.5 km	902	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	No	Yes
Mount St MichaelClaremorris	12.2 km	404	Girls	Secondary	Free	No	No
St. Geralds CollegeCastlebar	12.5 km	688	Boys	Secondary	Free	No	No
Coláiste CholmáinClaremorris	13.0 km	402	Boys	Secondary	Free	No	No

Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.

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Contact

Balla
Castlebar
Co Mayo
F23KT65

Principal: Teresa Walsh on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 094 936 5082
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ballasecondaryschool.com
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Primary schools nearby

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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 Balla Secondary School for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar