Gaelcholáiste na Mara
Arklow, Co. Wicklow
279 studentsMixedGaelcholáisteCommunity college (ETB)TY
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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.
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Students this year
279 students: 133 girls and 146 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 39
- 2nd year
- 47
- 3rd year
- 38
- TY
- 58
- 5th year
- 46
- 6th year
- 51
Transition Year: 58 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
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
Gaelcholáiste na Mara is a community college (etb) in Arklow, Co. Wicklow (Eircode Y14 DX27). Gaelcholáiste na Mara has 279 students: 146 boys and 133 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community college (ETB)
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 146 boys, 133 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Multi-denominational
- Patron
- Kildare & Wicklow ETB
- Language
- Gaelcholáiste: all subjects through Irish
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- No
- Roll number
- 76106S
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: Gaelcholáistí · types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is Gaelcholáiste na Mara?
- Gaelcholáiste na Mara is a community college (etb) in Arklow, Co. Wicklow (Eircode Y14 DX27).
- How many students go to Gaelcholáiste na Mara?
- Gaelcholáiste na Mara has 279 students: 146 boys and 133 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Gaelcholáiste na Mara?
- Declan O Leary is the principal of Gaelcholáiste na Mara, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Gaelcholáiste na Mara a mixed school?
- Yes. Gaelcholáiste na Mara takes both boys and girls.
- Is Gaelcholáiste na Mara fee-paying?
- No. Gaelcholáiste na Mara 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 Gaelcholáiste na Mara?
- Gaelcholáiste na Mara has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Kildare & Wicklow ETB.
- Does Gaelcholáiste na Mara teach through Irish?
- Yes. Gaelcholáiste na Mara is a Gaelcholáiste, so students learn every subject through Irish.
- Does Gaelcholáiste na Mara have Transition Year?
- 58 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
- Is Gaelcholáiste na Mara a DEIS school?
- No. Gaelcholáiste na Mara is not part of the DEIS programme.
- Where can I read Gaelcholáiste na Mara's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Gaelcholáiste na Mara's roll number, 76106S, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Gaelcholáiste na Mara?
- The closest is Arklow CBS. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaelcholáiste na MaraThis school | 279 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | Yes | No | |
| Arklow CBSArklow | 400 m | 392 | Boys | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct | No | No |
| Glenart CollegeArklow | 800 m | 633 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| St Marys CollegeArklow | 800 m | 527 | Girls | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct | No | No |
| Avondale Community CollegeRathdrum | 15.5 km | 644 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Gorey Educate Together Secondary SchoolGorey | 16.0 km | 323 | Mixed | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Gorey Community SchoolGorey | 16.3 km | 1,546 | 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
Pairc Na bPiarsachBothar an Ghleanntain
Arklow
Co.Wicklow
Y14DX27
- Principal: Declan O Leary on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 0402 91764
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.gaelcholaistenamara.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 Gaelcholáiste na Mara for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar