Girls aloud after 66 years

A Cork city secondary school has announced it will begin accepting girls from next September after 66 years as an all-boys school.

Following extensive consultation and community support, Coláiste Chríost Rí on Cork city’s southside is to become a co-educational from September 2027.

Parents, guardians, and prospective first year students were welcomed to the school yesterday evening (Wednesday) to learn more about the school’s upcoming plans.

Speaking following the revelation, Pádraig Mac An Rí, principal of Coláiste Chríost Rí, described the news as an “exciting and significant milestone” in the life of the school.

He said: “Girls and boys alike will have access to a high-quality education, a wide range of academic pathways, leadership opportunities, sporting and extracurricular activities, and the strong pastoral support for which our school is known. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of students and families as we enter the co-ed enrolment period and begin this exciting new chapter together.”

Significant planning is already underway to ensure that school facilities, programmes, and supports continue to meet the needs of all students and help ensure a positive and successful experience for every young person who joins the school.

Founded in 1960, Coláiste Chríost Rí has served the communities of Cork city and county as a secondary school for boys for 66 years. In 2025, the board of management undertook a comprehensive review of enrolment trends, curricular provision, community needs, and broader societal shifts, particularly the increasing preference for a co-educational environment.

The outcome of that review, and subsequent consultation with internal and wider community stakeholders across its Capwell, Turners Cross, city centre, and suburban catchment areas, confirmed support for the school's transition to a co-educational environment.