Two secondary schools to amalgamate in Ballinasloe

Two Ballinasloe post-primary schools, Ardscoil Mhuire and St Joseph’s College, Garbally, will be amalgamated to form a new school which will open in September 2025.

The patrons of the schools have announced that, following a comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders, an application is to be submitted to the Department of Education to amalgamate both secondary schools.

The project will involve the coming together of the existing secondary schools to form a new Catholic Voluntary Secondary School for boys and girls.

The schools said the history and tradition of both schools will be preserved and promoted under the joint patronage of the Catholic Education An Irish Schools Trust (CEIST) and the Diocese of Clonfert.

Planning will involve the provision of state-of-the-art facilities to cater for the provision of a broad range of educational opportunities in a co-educational environment.

Pending the approval of the Department of Education for the amalgamation, a Steering Committee will be appointed to manage the process. This committee will be representative of trustees, staff and parents and be chaired by educational advisor Frank Smith.