Loreto College
School Details
About
Loreto College, Mullingar is a Catholic voluntary all‑girls secondary school that welcomes over 820 pupils. The college’s mission is to provide a Christian, caring community of learning where mutual cooperation, respect and justice underpin the development of each student’s talents and potential. A strong emphasis is placed on holistic education, encouraging academic excellence alongside a vibrant extracurricular programme in music, sport and the arts, and fostering a multicultural environment where pupils share their diverse cultures and experiences. The school benefits from modern facilities that have been expanded over the decades. Recent developments include a new gymnasium, upgraded office space converted into additional classrooms, and enhanced playing areas featuring basketball courts. Earlier extensions added a new hall, dormitories, a careers room, a prayer room and further classroom space, supporting a broad curriculum and a supportive learning atmosphere. Staff are encouraged to engage in ongoing professional development to maintain a rich and dynamic educational environment for students.
History
Loreto College, Mullingar was established in 1881 by Most Rev. Dr Nulty, Bishop of Meath, with the support of Sister Frances Kerrigan of the Mercy Convent, Trim, and the provision of land from Lord Greville. On 25 March 1881 three nuns arrived from Loreto Convent, Navan, to open the school as a day‑school, which by 1900 had ten boarders. The convent and school have been enlarged several times: an extension in August 1960 added a new hall, dormitories and classrooms; in the summer of 1995 additional space created a careers room, prayer room and extra classroom; and on 5 May 2011 a major extension and refurbishment introduced a new gymnasium, expanded office space, and new playing areas including basketball courts. The college’s ethos traces back to the founding of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Mary Ward in 1585, whose vision of education for girls underpins the school’s values of truth, freedom, justice, sincerity and joy.