Coláiste Íde Boarding School Dingle is situated on the grounds of an elegant Georgian home which was the former estate of Lord Ventry. It is surrounded by 104 acres of estate which includes 50 acres of woodland.

The college was established by the Department of Education as a preparatory school for girls in 1927 and run by the Sisters of Mercy. Since its inception as a preparatory school in 1927 the college has nurtured many hundreds of fluent Irish speaking teachers from throughout the country. Following the ending of the preparatory school scheme in 1961 the Sisters of Mercy continued to run Coláiste Íde as an all-girls second level boarding school educating students through the medium of Irish for state examinations. Coláiste Íde now operates under the auspices of Cairde Choláiste Íde Teoranta, a limited company with charitable status which was set up by parents, past-pupils and friends in 1996.

With a capacity for 150 students, Coláiste Íde provides education through the medium of Irish.

Coláiste Íde lends itself to academic excellence and the college consistently feature as a top scoring school in Leaving Certificate in Munster and indeed in Ireland.

The College provides a broad curriculum in higher and ordinary level for both junior and senior level. Additional subjects to the curriculum are available in a private capacity if required.

Music has traditionally played a pivotal role in the life of Coláiste Íde. Many take music as an examination subject while others complete Royal Irish Academy music examinations. Music comes in many forms including piano, classical and traditional music, harp, violin, voice training and academically as a theory subject.

The only all Irish seven day boarding school for girls in existence in Ireland, Coláiste Íde’s ethos is grounded in the College Crest “Glaine Ár gCroí” or Purity of Heart.

Aim of Coláiste Íde

Coláiste Íde aims to prepare pupils to play their proper role in society by helping them to develop themselves physically spiritually, mentally and emotionally; to respect themselves, others and God; to respect our Irish heritage – our country, our language and traditions; to foster a love of learning and values that will guide them for life. Choláiste, “Glaine ár gCroí”.