Archbishop McHale College
Galway, Co. Galway
479 studentsMixedDEISCommunity college (ETB)TY optional
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
- Saturday, 3 October (passed)
- Applications close
- Friday, 23 OctoberAdd to calendar
From the school's website, 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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Students this year
479 students: 163 girls and 316 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 60
- 2nd year
- 78
- 3rd year
- 112
- TY
- 76
- 5th year
- 88
- 6th year
- 65
Transition Year: 76 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (112). 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
Archbishop McHale College is a community college (etb) in Galway, Co. Galway (Eircode H54 KC66). Archbishop McHale College has 479 students: 316 boys and 163 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 316 boys, 163 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Multi-denominational
- Patron
- Galway & Roscommon ETB
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- Yes, part of the DEIS programme
- Roll number
- 71390Q
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: what DEIS means · types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is Archbishop McHale College?
- Archbishop McHale College is a community college (etb) in Galway, Co. Galway (Eircode H54 KC66).
- How many students go to Archbishop McHale College?
- Archbishop McHale College has 479 students: 316 boys and 163 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Archbishop McHale College?
- John David Kearney is the principal of Archbishop McHale College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Archbishop McHale College a mixed school?
- Yes. Archbishop McHale College takes both boys and girls.
- Is Archbishop McHale College fee-paying?
- No. Archbishop McHale 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 Archbishop McHale College?
- Archbishop McHale College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB.
- Does Archbishop McHale College teach through Irish?
- No. Archbishop McHale College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does Archbishop McHale College have Transition Year?
- 76 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (112). That usually means TY is optional here.
- Is Archbishop McHale College a DEIS school?
- Yes. Archbishop McHale College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
- Where can I read Archbishop McHale College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Archbishop McHale College's roll number, 71390Q, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Archbishop McHale College?
- The closest is St. Jarlaths 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop McHale CollegeThis school | 479 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct | No | Yes | |
| St. Jarlaths CollegeTuam | 600 m | 762 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| High Cross CollegeTuam | 900 m | 777 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Fri, 6 Nov | No | No |
| Dunmore Community SchoolDunmore | 13.7 km | 367 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Presentation CollegeHeadford | 18.1 km | 857 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Mon, 16 Nov | No | No |
| Coláiste Bhaile ChláirBaile Chláir | 20.4 km | 1,269 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Glenamaddy Community SchoolGlenamaddy | 21.4 km | 433 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
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Contact
Dublin Road, TuamTuam
Co Galway
Galway
H54KC66
- Principal: John David Kearney on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 093 24237
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: archbishopmchalecollege.ie
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
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 Archbishop McHale College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar