Muckross Park College
All-girls Catholic secondary school in Ireland
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Muckross Park College (Irish: Páirc Mhucrois) is a private non fee paying Catholic secondary school for girls, located in Donnybrook, Dublin, Ireland. It was founded in 1900 and is one of a number of Dominican schools in Ireland.[2] As of 2026, it had a student body of 712.[1]
| Muckross Park College | |
|---|---|
Irish: Páirc Mhucrois | |
| Location | |
 | |
53.3224°N 6.2416°W | |
| Information | |
| Former name | St. Mary's University College |
| Type | Private secondary school |
| Motto | Latin: Veritas (Truth) |
| Denomination | Dominicans |
| Established | 1900 |
Principal | Siobhan Kelly |
| Gender | Girls |
| Enrollment | 712 (2026[1]) |
| Colours | Green, White and Black |
| Website | muckrossparkcollege |
The school is involved in a number sports tournaments, including in hockey,[3] tennis, and basketball.[citation needed] Academically, the school has historically ranked highly in The Irish Times list of feeder schools for third-level education in Ireland.[4]
History
The school was founded in 1900 as St. Mary's University College, which was initially a third-level college for women studying for degrees awarded by the Royal University of Ireland.
Curriculum
First, second and third years undertake the Junior Cycle curriculum in preparation for the Junior Certificate Examination.[citation needed]
Transition year (TY) consists of organising work placements several times throughout the year, as well as a school trip abroad.[citation needed] TY students may also undertake dance and drama classes at the nearby Independent Theatre Workshop studios.[citation needed] Other TY class modules include cooking, horticulture, yearbook, film making, and fitness.[citation needed]
Fifth and sixth years are spent preparing students for the Leaving Certificate Examinations.[citation needed]
Extra-curricular activities
Clubs and events
There are a number of clubs in the school, including a book club.[5]
Events during the school year include an annual mass, a Halloween dress-up day and a sports day.[citation needed] The school also undertakes retreats and trips, including for transition year students.[citation needed]
Sport
Muckross Park fields hockey teams at Minor, Junior and Senior levels, and has won a number of Leinster League titles. The Senior 1 team has also claimed the Senior Cup on several occasions.[citation needed] Other sports include basketball, cricket, handball, tennis, swimming, horse-riding and athletics.[citation needed]
Past Pupils' Union
The Past Pupils' Union (PPU) began in 1912, twelve years after the school was founded.[6] The PPU is involved in fundraising for a fund which is used to grant financial assistance to past pupils who find themselves in financial difficulty. Over the years, the fund has been used to support past pupils who have been impacted by serious illness, disability, bereavement and unemployment. It has also supported the education of students in need and other charitable causes.[citation needed]
Notable alumnae
- Anna O'Flanagan, Irish international hockey player[7]
- Beatrice Doran, former chief librarian at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland[8][9]
- Dara Fitzpatrick, Irish Coastguard helicopter pilot[10]
- Emma Donoghue, author of the book "Room", shortlisted for the Man-Booker prize[11]
- Gemma O'Doherty, far-right activist and former journalist[12]
- Mary Rose Gearty, judge of the Irish High Court[13]
- Máire Ní Chinnéide, Irish language activist, playwright, president of the Camogie Association, and first female president of Oireachtas na Gaeilge[14]
- Nuala Carey, weather presenter on RTÉ[15]
- Síofra O'Leary, judge at the European Court of Human Rights[16]
