Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)

Rathkeale, Co. Limerick

537 studentsMixedCommunity college (ETB)TY optional

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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.

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Students this year

537 students: 265 girls and 272 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year
94
2nd year
101
3rd year
90
TY
68
5th year
93
6th year
91

Transition Year: 68 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (90). 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

Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) is a community college (etb) in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick (Eircode V94 Y685). Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) has 537 students: 272 boys and 265 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type
Community college (ETB)
Boys and girls
Mixed · 272 boys, 265 girls
Fees
Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos
Inter-denominational
Patron
Limerick & Clare ETB
Language
English-medium
Day or boarding
Day school
DEIS
No
Roll number
76061W

Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie

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Questions parents ask

Where is Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)?
Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) is a community college (etb) in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick (Eircode V94 Y685).
How many students go to Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)?
Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) has 537 students: 272 boys and 265 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)?
Michael Behan is the principal of Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College), according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) a mixed school?
Yes. Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) takes both boys and girls.
Is Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) fee-paying?
No. Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community 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 Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)?
Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Limerick & Clare ETB.
Does Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) teach through Irish?
No. Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
Does Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) have Transition Year?
68 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (90). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) a DEIS school?
No. Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) is not part of the DEIS programme.
Where can I read Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)'s inspection reports?
The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)'s roll number, 76061W, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)?
The closest is Colaiste Mhuire. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

See also: Multi-denominational secondary schools in Co. Limerick · Every school in Co. Limerick

Closest secondary schools

Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) compared with other schools in the area
SchoolDistanceStudentsBoys and girlsTypeFeesNext dateIrish-mediumDEIS
Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College)This school 537 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free None found yet No No
Colaiste MhuireAskeaton 9.2 km 268 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free None found yet No No
Desmond CollegeNewcastle West 10.7 km 539 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free None found yet Stream Yes
Scoil Mhuire & ÍdeNewcastle West 11.8 km 754 Mixed Secondary Free None found yet No No
Colaiste ChiarainCroom 15.0 km 821 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free Applications close, Mon, 11 Jan No Yes
Salesian Secondary CollegePallaskenry 15.1 km 746 Mixed Secondary Free Applications close, Mon, 11 Jan No No
Mungret Community CollegeLimerick 20.7 km 991 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free None found yet No No

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

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Contact

Rathkeale
Co. Limerick
V94Y685

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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 Colaiste na Trocaire (Mercy Community College) for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar