Who is the principal of Coláiste Chiaráin?

Brendan Waldron is the principal of Coláiste Chiaráin, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Coláiste Chiaráin a mixed school?

Yes. Coláiste Chiaráin takes both boys and girls.

Is Coláiste Chiaráin fee-paying?

No. Coláiste Chiaráin 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 Coláiste Chiaráin?

Coláiste Chiaráin has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Elphin.

Does Coláiste Chiaráin teach through Irish?

No. Coláiste Chiaráin teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Coláiste Chiaráin a DEIS school?

No. Coláiste Chiaráin is not part of the DEIS programme.

Where can I read Coláiste Chiaráin's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Coláiste Chiaráin's roll number, 68325L, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Coláiste Chiaráin?

The closest is Marist College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Coláiste Chiaráin

Athlone, Co. Roscommon

1,040 studentsMixedSecondaryTY optional

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

Applications open: Monday, 5 October (passed)
Applications close: Monday, 2 November, 3pmSpecial class applications deadline 3pmAdd to calendar

From the school's website (1), the school's website (2), checked 17 October. Always confirm with the school.

Never miss a date. 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. Roscommon

Students this year

1,040 students: 500 girls and 540 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 192
2nd year: 196
3rd year: 185
TY: 137
5th year: 188
6th year: 142

Transition Year: 137 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (185). That usually means TY is optional here.

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

Coláiste Chiaráin is a voluntary secondary school in Athlone, Co. Roscommon (Eircode N37 AH97). Coláiste Chiaráin has 1,040 students: 540 boys and 500 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Voluntary secondary school
Boys and girls: Mixed · 540 boys, 500 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Catholic
Patron: Bishop of Elphin
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: No
Roll number: 68325L

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 Coláiste Chiaráin?: Coláiste Chiaráin is a voluntary secondary school in Athlone, Co. Roscommon (Eircode N37 AH97).
How many students go to Coláiste Chiaráin?: Coláiste Chiaráin has 1,040 students: 540 boys and 500 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Coláiste Chiaráin?: Brendan Waldron is the principal of Coláiste Chiaráin, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Coláiste Chiaráin a mixed school?: Yes. Coláiste Chiaráin takes both boys and girls.
Is Coláiste Chiaráin fee-paying?: No. Coláiste Chiaráin 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 Coláiste Chiaráin?: Coláiste Chiaráin has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Elphin.
Does Coláiste Chiaráin teach through Irish?: No. Coláiste Chiaráin teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Coláiste Chiaráin have Transition Year?: 137 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (185). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is Coláiste Chiaráin a DEIS school?: No. Coláiste Chiaráin is not part of the DEIS programme.
Where can I read Coláiste Chiaráin's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Coláiste Chiaráin's roll number, 68325L, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Coláiste Chiaráin?: The closest is Marist College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Coláiste Chiaráin compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Next date	Irish-medium	DEIS
Coláiste ChiaráinThis school		1,040	Mixed	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Mon, 2 Nov	No	No
Marist CollegeAthlone	4.4 km	610	Boys	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Fri, 6 Nov	No	No
Our Lady's BowerAthlone	4.6 km	630	Girls	Secondary	Free	Open night, Tue, 20 Oct	No	No
Athlone Community CollegeAthlone	4.7 km	1,117	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct	No	No
Moate Community SchoolMoate	17.3 km	913	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	No
Gallen Community SchoolFerbane	18.6 km	441	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	No
Clonfert CollegeBallinasloe	19.7 km	926	Mixed	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	Yes

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

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Contact

Summerhill
Athlone
Co. Roscommon
N37AH97

Principal: Brendan Waldron on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 090 649 2383
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ccathlone.ie
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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 Coláiste Chiaráin for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar