Colaiste Rís
School Details
Location
About
Coláiste Rís is a co‑educational Catholic secondary school situated in the heart of Dundalk and operates under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust. The school places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, personal development and community spirit, offering a broad curriculum that includes instruction through the Irish language and a range of extracurricular activities such as debating, sport and science projects. Its ethos is rooted in Christian values while welcoming pupils of all faiths, reflecting the multicultural character of contemporary Ireland. The campus has evolved continuously since its foundation, most recently with the addition of a modern technology wing funded by a former pupil, providing state‑of‑the‑art facilities for ICT, design and engineering studies. Extensive sports provisions, specialist classrooms and well‑maintained communal areas support a holistic learning environment. Coláiste Rís strives to prepare students for further education and the wider world, encouraging critical thinking, creativity and respect for cultural heritage.
History
Coláiste Rís, originally Dundalk CBS, opened on 10 May 1869 after the Christian Brothers were invited by Archbishop Kieran of Armagh. Founded by Brother Yorke, the school quickly grew to 500 boys within its first year, prompting major extensions. Notable early staff included John Philip Holland, later famed for inventing the submarine. The institution embraced the Irish Free State in 1922, introduced Irish‑medium instruction, and won the Corn na Dála in 1934. Subsequent achievements span sport, debating and science. In 1987 the first cohort of eleven girls enrolled, and in 1990 the Brothers handed management to the Armagh Diocese, renaming the school Coláiste Rís. The school celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019.