Claremorris schools back plan for new 'single shared school campus' in south Mayo

Mount Saint Michael and Saint Colman’s College in Claremorris have agreed to pursue a single Catholic co-educational post-primary campus for the town and surrounding area. The proposal would end single-sex Catholic post-primary education in Claremorris. A consultation process beginning in 2023 involved parents, staff, and the wider community, led by CEIST and the Archdiocese of Tuam, and it indicated strong support for coeducation in one school setting. The patrons then engaged with the Department of Education and Youth about amalgamation. A letter from Archbishop Francis Duffy and CEIST’s Chief Executive Maeve Mahon states the department could not commit capital funding at the time. In 2025, both schools applied to change to coeducation, described as not the optimal outcome due to the need for significant capital investment in both buildings.

"Both secondary schools in Claremorris have agreed to pursue a single Catholic co educational campus, pending approval and capital funding from the Department of Education and Youth."

"In a joint statement, Mount Saint Michael and Saint Colman's College expressed a desire to "progress towards a single shared school campus providing Catholic co educational post primary education for the town and surrounding area"."

"If approved, the move would bring an end to single sex Catholic post primary education in Claremorris, marking one of the most significant changes to schooling in south Mayo in decades."

""It was clear that significant capital investment would be required in both school buildings in order to provide the teaching and learning facilities necessary to support students and staff effectively into the future," they wrote."

Read at Irish Independent