Ennis Community College has proudly opened its doors to 120 new first-year students this week, marking the start of their journey as the graduation class of 2031.
This intake is the largest in the school’s history and comes following unprecedented demand for places, with the school reporting record applications and being heavily oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year.
Principal James O’Shaughnessy expressed his delight at the milestone moment for the school community.
“We are thrilled to welcome 120 new students this year. It is wonderful to see such strong demand for Ennis Community College, and we are confident that our new first years will thrive in our vibrant, supportive school community,” he said.
The new cohort of students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including a modern sports hall, fitness suites, fully equipped science labs, and technology rooms. Ennis
Community College is also the only school in Ennis to offer Engineering as a subject.
The school has recently strengthened its sporting opportunities through a new partnership with Éire Óg GAA, which has seen the redevelopment of a GAA pitch just across the road from the campus in the Bishop’s field.
“This partnership is a fantastic development for our students. Sport is an integral part of school life, and having a top-class facility so close to the school will be of huge benefit,” added Mr O’Shaughnessy.
The past year has also been a memorable one for the school’s achievements in both the arts and academics. In March, the school staged a sell-out run of The Addams Family at Glór Theatre, with a talented student cast earning standing ovations. More recently, Leaving Certificate students celebrated outstanding results, with the majority already securing places at universities and colleges following Round One CAO offers.
“We are extremely proud of our graduates and all they have achieved. Their success is a credit to their hard work and the dedication of our staff,” Mr O’Shaughnessy said.
Looking ahead, Ennis Community College will host its annual Open Night on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, at 7pm in the school’s sports hall. The event will give prospective students and parents the chance to explore the facilities and learn more about the opportunities available at the school.
Ennis Community College continues to go from strength to strength, combining academic excellence, cultural creativity, and sporting success to provide a holistic education for its students.
