Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)

Portlaoise, Co. Laois

506 studentsMixedIrish-medium streamCommunity college (ETB)TY optional

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Open night and deadlines Compare with others

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. Visit the school's website.

How secondary admissions work · Open nights in Co. Laois

Students this year

506 students: 248 girls and 258 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.

1st year
57
2nd year
75
3rd year
96
TY
64
5th year
105
6th year
109

Transition Year: 64 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (96). 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

Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) is a community college (etb) in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 WE02). Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) has 506 students: 258 boys and 248 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.

Type
Community college (ETB)
Boys and girls
Mixed · 258 boys, 248 girls
Fees
Free education scheme, no tuition fees
Ethos
Multi-denominational
Patron
Laois & Offaly ETB
Language
Irish-medium stream for some students
Day or boarding
Day school
DEIS
No
Roll number
76474B

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 Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)?
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) is a community college (etb) in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 WE02).
How many students go to Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)?
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) has 506 students: 258 boys and 248 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
Who is the principal of Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)?
Dympna Kelly is the principal of Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc), according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
Is Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) a mixed school?
Yes. Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) takes both boys and girls.
Is Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) fee-paying?
No. Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) 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 Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)?
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) has a Multi-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB.
Does Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) teach through Irish?
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) has an Irish-medium stream, where some students learn every subject through Irish.
Does Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) have Transition Year?
64 students are in Transition Year, fewer than in 3rd year (96). That usually means TY is optional here.
Is Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) a DEIS school?
No. Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) is not part of the DEIS programme.
Where can I read Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)'s inspection reports?
The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)'s roll number, 76474B, or use the link on this page.
What other secondary schools are near Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)?
The closest is Portlaoise College. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.

See also: All 5 schools in Portlaoise · Multi-denominational secondary schools in Co. Laois · Every school in Co. Laois

Closest secondary schools

Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) compared with other schools in the area
SchoolDistanceStudentsBoys and girlsTypeFeesNext dateIrish-mediumDEIS
Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)This school 506 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free None found yet Stream No
Portlaoise CollegePortlaoise 1.0 km 1,005 Mixed Community college (ETB) Free Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct No Yes
Scoil Chriost RiPortlaoise 2.0 km 880 Girls Secondary Free None found yet No No
St. Mary's C.B.S.Portlaoise 2.1 km 851 Boys Secondary Free Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct No No
Mountmellick Community SchoolMountmellick 9.4 km 742 Mixed Community school Free None found yet No Yes
Mountrath Community SchoolMountrath 13.1 km 789 Mixed Community school Free None found yet No No
Coláiste ÍosagáinPortarlington 15.4 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

Railway Street
Portlaoise
Co. Laois
R32WE02

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 Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc) for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar