Coláiste an Phiarsaigh facts for kids

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh is a school in Glanmire, Cork, Ireland. It's a secondary school for both boys and girls, meaning it's coeducational. The school teaches everything in the Irish language. All students and teachers are expected to speak Irish while at school.

For students who attend during the day, the school is free. However, students who live at the school (called boarders) need to pay fees. Sometimes, special financial help called bursaries are available to help with these costs.

About the School

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh was started in 1973 by a group called Gaedhealachas Teoranta. The school is named after Patrick Pearse. He was an important Irish revolutionary and someone who worked hard to bring back the Irish language and culture.

One of the people who helped start the school was Cormac Mac Cárthaigh. Eibhlín Ní Drisceoil was the principal (the head teacher) from 1973 to 1991.

School Buildings and Growth

The first main building for the school opened in 1978. At that time, about 200 students were going to Coláiste an Phiarsaigh.

As more students joined in the 1980s, the school used temporary buildings, sometimes called prefabs, to make more space. In 1995, a new permanent part of the school was opened. This new section included a science lab, a computer room, an art room, and more classrooms. It also had a staff room for teachers and offices.

In the 2011–2012 school year, the school had 255 boys and 281 girls. This shows how much the school has grown over the years.

Summer Courses

During the summer holidays, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh also holds special Irish-language courses. These courses are for children aged 10 to 14. It's a great way for younger students to learn and practice their Irish.

Student Success

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh helps its students prepare for further education. In 2013, a newspaper called The Sunday Times looked at how well schools helped students go on to college or university. Coláiste an Phiarsaigh was ranked 5th in Cork city and county. It was also ranked 22nd across the whole country. This shows that students from the school do very well when they finish their studies there.

Famous Former Students

Some people who went to Coláiste an Phiarsaigh have become well-known.

• Barry Coffey
• Kieran Murphy