Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College
Galway, Co. Galway
710 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
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.
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Students this year
710 students: 344 girls and 366 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 138
- 2nd year
- 119
- 3rd year
- 116
- TY
- 77
- 5th year
- 132
- 6th year
- 128
Transition Year: 77 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (116). 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 Mhuirlinne/Merlin College is a community college (etb) in Galway, Co. Galway (Eircode H91 309Y). Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College has 710 students: 366 boys and 344 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 366 boys, 344 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
- 76096S
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 Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College?
- Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College is a community college (etb) in Galway, Co. Galway (Eircode H91 309Y).
- How many students go to Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College?
- Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College has 710 students: 366 boys and 344 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College?
- John Cleary is the principal of Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College a mixed school?
- Yes. Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College takes both boys and girls.
- Is Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College fee-paying?
- No. Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin 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 Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College?
- Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Galway & Roscommon ETB.
- Does Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College teach through Irish?
- No. Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College have Transition Year?
- 77 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (116). That usually means TY is optional here.
- Is Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College a DEIS school?
- Yes. Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College is part of the DEIS programme, which gives extra support to schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage.
- Where can I read Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College's roll number, 76096S, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College?
- The closest is Galway Community 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin CollegeThis school | 710 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes | |
| Galway Community CollegeGalway | 3.2 km | 395 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Calasanctius CollegeOranmore | 3.8 km | 906 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | No |
| Galway City & Oranmore Educate Together Secondary SchoolGalway | 4.7 km | 379 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Offers by, Fri, 6 Nov | No | No |
| St Joseph's CollegeGalway | 5.0 km | 791 | Boys | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | No |
| Coláiste Iognáid S.J.Gaillimh | 5.3 km | 637 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | No |
| Coláiste Muire MáthairGalway | 5.6 km | 738 | 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
c/o Galway-Roscommon ETBDoughiska Road
Galway
H91309Y
- Principal: John Cleary on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 091 769 000
- Email: [email protected]
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- Merlin Woods Primary School100 m
- Scoil Aine1.3 km
- Scoil Mhuire1.4 km
- Radharc na Mara National School1.9 km
- Gaelscoil Dara2.0 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 Coláiste Mhuirlinne/Merlin College for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar