St Fergal's College
Rathdowney, Co. Laois
383 studentsMixedCommunity 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
- Thursday, 8 October (passed)First Year Group and Special Class
- Applications close
- Friday, 18 DecemberFirst Year Group and Special ClassAdd to calendar
- Offers by
- Friday, 15 JanuaryFirst Year Group and Special Class applicants notifiedAdd to calendar
- Accept by
- Friday, 29 JanuaryFirst Year Group and Special Class acceptance deadlineAdd to calendar
From the school's website, checked 17 October. Always confirm with the school.
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Students this year
383 students: 181 girls and 202 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 57
- 2nd year
- 63
- 3rd year
- 69
- TY
- 48
- 5th year
- 85
- 6th year
- 61
Transition Year: 48 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (69). 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
St Fergal's College is a community college (etb) in Rathdowney, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 ED72). St Fergal's College has 383 students: 202 boys and 181 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 202 boys, 181 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Multi-denominational
- Patron
- Laois & Offaly ETB
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- No
- Roll number
- 71520D
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 Fergal's College?
- St Fergal's College is a community college (etb) in Rathdowney, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 ED72).
- How many students go to St Fergal's College?
- St Fergal's College has 383 students: 202 boys and 181 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of St Fergal's College?
- Gerry Quinn is the principal of St Fergal's College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is St Fergal's College a mixed school?
- Yes. St Fergal's College takes both boys and girls.
- Is St Fergal's College fee-paying?
- No. St Fergal's 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 Fergal's College?
- St Fergal's College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.
- Does St Fergal's College teach through Irish?
- No. St Fergal's College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does St Fergal's College have Transition Year?
- 48 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (69). That usually means TY is optional here.
- Is St Fergal's College a DEIS school?
- No. St Fergal's College is not part of the DEIS programme.
- Where can I read St Fergal's College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by St Fergal's College's roll number, 71520D, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near St Fergal's College?
- The closest is Coláiste Mhuire. 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 Fergal's CollegeThis school | 383 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Fri, 18 Dec | No | No | |
| Coláiste MhuireJohnstown | 12.3 km | 659 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | Yes |
| Mountrath Community SchoolMountrath | 16.9 km | 789 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Colaiste Phobáil Ros CréRoscrea | 18.1 km | 594 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Our Ladys Secondary SchoolTemplemore | 18.1 km | 646 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Open day, Sat, 7 Nov | No | No |
| Heywood Community SchoolPortlaoise | 19.0 km | 749 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Cistercian CollegeRoscrea | 22.2 km | 255 | Boys | Secondary | Fee‑paying | None found yet | No | No |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
Spotted something wrong on this page?
Contact
RathdowneyCo Laois
R32ED72
- Principal: Gerry Quinn on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 0505 46357
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stfergalscollege.com
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- Scoil Bhride1.4 km
- Cloch an Tsionnaigh NS5.8 km
- Kiladooley Mixed NS6.3 km
- SN Naomh Colmcille6.5 km
- Scoil Mhichil Naofa6.9 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 Fergal's College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar