Who is the principal of Portlaoise College?

Noel Daly is the principal of Portlaoise College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.

Is Portlaoise College a mixed school?

Yes. Portlaoise College takes both boys and girls.

Is Portlaoise College fee-paying?

No. Portlaoise 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 Portlaoise College?

Portlaoise College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.

Does Portlaoise College teach through Irish?

No. Portlaoise College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.

Is Portlaoise College a DEIS school?

Yes. Portlaoise College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.

Where can I read Portlaoise College's inspection reports?

The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Portlaoise College's roll number, 71510A, or use the link on this page.

What other secondary schools are near Portlaoise College?

The closest is Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc). The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Portlaoise College

Portlaoise, Co. Laois

1,005 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

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Open night and deadlines Compare with others

Applying for September 2027

Applications open: Thursday, 1 October (passed)Online application form available
Applications close: Thursday, 22 October, 4pmFirst Year Group and Special Class applicationsAdd 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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How secondary admissions work · Open nights in Co. Laois

Students this year

1,005 students: 509 girls and 496 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year: 193
2nd year: 193
3rd year: 190
TY: 100
5th year: 147
6th year: 182

Transition Year: 100 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (190). 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

Portlaoise College is a community college (etb) in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 N795). Portlaoise College has 1,005 students: 496 boys and 509 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type: Community college (ETB)
Boys and girls: Mixed · 496 boys, 509 girls
Fees: Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos: Multi-denominational
Patron: Laois & Offaly ETB
Language: English-medium
Day or boarding: Day school
DEIS: Yes, part of the DEIS programme
Roll number: 71510A

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 Portlaoise College?: Portlaoise College is a community college (etb) in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 N795).
How many students go to Portlaoise College?: Portlaoise College has 1,005 students: 496 boys and 509 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Portlaoise College?: Noel Daly is the principal of Portlaoise College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Portlaoise College a mixed school?: Yes. Portlaoise College takes both boys and girls.
Is Portlaoise College fee-paying?: No. Portlaoise 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 Portlaoise College?: Portlaoise College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.
Does Portlaoise College teach through Irish?: No. Portlaoise College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Portlaoise College have Transition Year?: 100 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (190). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is Portlaoise College a DEIS school?: Yes. Portlaoise College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
Where can I read Portlaoise College's inspection reports?: The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Portlaoise College's roll number, 71510A, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Portlaoise College?: The closest is Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc). The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

Closest secondary schools

Portlaoise College compared with other schools in the area
School	Distance	Students	Boys and girls	Type	Fees	Next date	Irish-medium	DEIS
Portlaoise CollegeThis school		1,005	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct	No	Yes
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)Portlaoise	1.0 km	506	Mixed	Community college (ETB)	Free	None found yet	Stream	No
Scoil Chriost RiPortlaoise	2.7 km	880	Girls	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No
St. Mary's C.B.S.Portlaoise	2.8 km	851	Boys	Secondary	Free	Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct	No	No
Mountmellick Community SchoolMountmellick	9.2 km	742	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	Yes
Mountrath Community SchoolMountrath	12.2 km	789	Mixed	Community school	Free	None found yet	No	No
Coláiste ÍosagáinPortarlington	15.7 km	1,182	Mixed	Secondary	Free	None found yet	No	No

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

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Contact

Mountrath Road
Portlaoise
R32N795

Principal: Noel Daly on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
Phone: 057 862 1480
Email: [email protected]
Website: portlaoisecollege.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 Portlaoise College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar