Coláiste Ide
School Details
Location
About
Coláiste Íde is the only surviving all‑Irish, full‑time, second‑level boarding school for girls in Ireland. Situated in the scenic Gaeltacht of Leithinis, County Kerry, the college occupies a 107‑acre estate of which roughly 57 acres are native woodland, providing a tranquil environment for study and outdoor learning. The school delivers the junior and senior cycle curriculum through Irish, fostering fluency and cultural immersion while preparing pupils for the state examinations. Boarding is integral to the college’s ethos, with purpose‑built residential facilities, supervised study areas and a comprehensive pastoral programme that supports students’ academic and personal development. The campus offers a wide range of facilities to complement the academic programme. Modern classrooms are complemented by specialist rooms for science, art and technology, while extensive sports and recreation provisions—including a sports hall, playing fields and organised outdoor activities—encourage physical wellbeing. A dedicated dining service provides nutritious meals, and the school’s uniform and equipment provisions ensure a cohesive community identity. Enrolments for the 2025/26 academic year are now open, reflecting the college’s continued commitment to providing a high‑quality, Irish‑medium education in a supportive boarding setting.
History
Coláiste Íde (Teach Burnham) was founded in 1928 as the sole full‑time Irish‑medium boarding school for girls in Ireland, located in Leithinis, Corca Dhuibhne, about two miles from Daingean. The main house, Teach Burnham, dates from 1790 and stands on land once owned by the Lord of Fionn Trá. The Sisters of Mercy operated the college as a teacher‑training institution until 1961, after which it functioned as a full‑time Irish‑medium secondary school for girls until its closure in 1996. In response, a group of parents established the charitable company Cairde Choláiste Íde Teoranta, which secured a 30‑year lease on the estate from 1996. This lease was terminated by the Sisters of Mercy in August 2014, after which the school continued under the stewardship of the parent‑run organisation.