Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we are often get asked about our courses
Before you Book
Before Applications Open
Before You Contact Us
- Application opening days are exceptionally busy, and we experience very high volumes of website traffic and enquiries. To ensure that all applications are processed fairly and efficiently, we are unable to respond to emails during the opening week.
- To help you find the information you need as quickly as possible, please read the information below before contacting us. You may find the answer to your question without having to wait for a response.
Resources to find the information you need
Course Availability & Waiting List
I didn't manage to get a place. Will more places become available?
Additional places may become available if cancellations occur. Any available places will be offered to students on the waiting list in waiting list order. If the parent/guardian has not already done so, please ensure they have joined the waiting list.
How does the waiting list work?
Waiting lists operate on a first-come, first-served basis but are also filtered according to school year and gender.
Can you tell me my position on the waiting list?
Please do not contact the office regarding your waiting list position until after the New Year. We are unable to provide updates, and contacting the office will not affect your place or speed up the process.
Can I move to a different course?
Course transfers are not guaranteed and are subject to availability. A transfer can only be considered if a direct equivalent place becomes available on the requested course.
If a parent/guardian wishes to request a transfer, they should send an email to the office. They will then be issued with a Course Transfer Request Form to complete.
Please note that submitting a transfer request does not reserve a place or guarantee a transfer. Transfer requests are managed according to availability and waiting list order. Completing a transfer request does not allow a student to bypass the waiting list or secure a place more quickly.
As suitable places only become available when another student transfers or cancels, it may take several months for a transfer opportunity to arise, and in many cases, a transfer may never become available. For this reason, we do not recommend relying on a transfer request if a parent wishes to secure a place on a particular course.
If a suitable place does become available, the office will contact the parent/guardian directly.
Course Bookings
When do course bookings open
2027 Course Application Dates
Applications for our 2027 courses will open in stages.
- D127-Bean an Tí accommodation: 15th September at 10am
- E127- Bean an Tí accommodation: 16th September at 10am
- J127- Campus accommodation: 17th September at 10am
- All remaining 2027 courses- 18th September at 10am
Can I book more than one course for my child?
No. Multiple course bookings for the same student are not permitted. If more than one booking is made, a €90 cancellation fee will apply to each cancelled booking from the course opening day.
Fees, Discounts & Scholarships
Is there a sibling discount available?
Yes. A €50 sibling discount is available for each eligible sibling attending a Coláistí Chorca Dhuibhne course.
I don't think my sibling discount has been applied. What should I do?
If a parent/guardian believes the sibling discount has not been applied correctly, they should contact the office for assistance.
Can I apply for a scholarship or part scholarship?
Scholarships and part scholarships are not administered by Coláistí Chorca Dhuibhne. They are awarded by external organisations and are valid only for the current year’s courses.
Where can I apply for a scholarship?
The most common scholarship providers include:
School-administered scholarships are awarded by Coláistí Chorca Dhuibhne to selected schools
DEIS school scholarships
GAA clubs
Mandate Trade Union
Fórsa Trade Union
Parents/guardians should contact the relevant organisation directly, such as their child’s school, GAA club secretary, or trade union representative, to enquire about eligibility and the application process.
How is my scholarship applied to my booking?
Once Coláistí Chorca Dhuibhne receives written confirmation of the scholarship or part scholarship, the value of the award will be credited against the outstanding balance on the booking.
Can I use a scholarship from a previous year?
No. Scholarships and part scholarships are only valid for the current year’s courses and cannot be carried forward to future years.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to attend the course?
Students must be studying Irish (Gaeilge) as an examination subject in school during the academic year in which they attend the course. Students who have an exemption from studying Irish under the school system are not eligible to attend the course.
Does my child need to speak Irish?
Yes. This is a full Irish-language immersion course. Students are expected to speak Irish throughout the course and must have a sufficient standard of Irish to understand instructions, participate fully in all activities, and communicate with staff and fellow students.
As part of the booking process, both the student and their parent/guardian must confirm that they understand and accept this requirement. Students who are unwilling or unable to participate through Irish, or who are exempt from studying Irish in school, are not eligible to attend the course.
Can students speak English during the course?
Our courses are designed to provide a genuine Irish-speaking environment. Students are expected to make every effort to speak Irish at all times. This commitment is an essential part of the course and helps create the immersive experience that all participants expect.
*Please see full list of college rules on our parents information page
Managing Your Booking
Who is responsible for completing the booking form?
The parent or guardian is responsible for completing and updating the booking form.
How do I update my booking?
Parents/guardians can update their booking form up to 10 weeks before their course start date to add or amend friend requests, accommodation requests, dietary requirements and medical information.
What information should be included on the booking form?
All friend requests, accommodation requests, dietary requirements, allergies and medical information should be entered on the booking form before the relevant deadlines.
I have additional information to provide. What should I do?
Please add the information to your booking form first. If you need to provide further details or clarification, you can then contact the office.
How should I make a request for my child to be placed with another student or group?
All requests must be added directly to the student’s booking form. Please do not email requests to the office unless you need further advice or clarification.
The responsibility lies with the parent or guardian to ensure that any relevant requests or group connections are clearly noted on the booking form.
While we will always do our best to accommodate requests, this is not always possible. Requests are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date they are submitted.
Friend Requests
How do I request friends to stay together?
Friend requests must be entered in the Friend Request section of the booking form only.
How many friend requests can I make?
A maximum of three friend requests is permitted.
Do friend requests have to match?
Yes. Friend requests must be mutual. If the names do not match across both booking forms, the request cannot be accommodated.
Will students from the same school automatically stay together?
No. Students are accommodated together only based on the Friend Request section of the booking form. Requests made elsewhere on the booking form, or based on the same school, home address or email address, cannot be considered.
When is the deadline for adding or changing friend requests?
Friend requests can be added or amended by editing the booking form up to 10 weeks before the course start date.
Accommodation
Can I choose which accommodation centre my child stays in?
We have five accommodation centres, and students do not move between centres. Requests for a particular accommodation centre or house are welcome but cannot be guaranteed. Allocations are made at the discretion of the Accommodation Manager.
Can a large group stay in the same accommodation centre?
Every effort will be made to facilitate the request; however, it cannot be guaranteed.
Can I request a specific room?
No. Room allocations are made by the Bean an Tí, not by the office. Rooms often include students from different schools and groups.
Can my child attend as a day student if we have our own accommodation?
Yes. If you have your own accommodation, your child can attend the course as a day student rather than staying in residential accommodation.
Do all of your centres come together for céilithe and activities?
No. The centres do not mix for céilithe or activities due to capacity limits.
Centres are not allocated based on the school a student attends or where they are travelling from. Therefore, if your group is larger than four students, please let us know if there is a larger connection between the group. Otherwise, students may be placed in different centres.
Please note that while we will always do our best to accommodate group requests, this is not always possible. Requests are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the date they are received.
Dietary & Medical Information
Where do I provide dietary or medical information?
All dietary requirements, allergies and medical information must be entered on the booking form. If these do not apply, please leave the relevant sections blank.
My child has an important dietary or medical requirement. What should I do?
For high-priority dietary or medical requirements, parents/guardians should contact the office at least one month before the course starts to confirm that the necessary arrangements are in place.
Other
Can you make an exception to these policies?
These policies are in place to ensure fairness and the smooth operation of our courses. Where exceptions are possible, they will be considered in line with our policies and subject to availability.
What to Pack
Please use the checklist below when preparing for your child’s course.
👕 CLOTHING
- ☐ Comfortable everyday clothing
- ☐ Raincoat / rain gear
- ☐ Swimwear
- ☐ Sportswear
- ☐ Runners – an extra pair is advised
- ☐ Pyjamas
- ☐ Jeans, tops, shoes etc.
- ☐ Slippers
- ☐ Themed outfit(s) for the céilís*
*Examples of themed céilís: black and white, multicoloured, county colours, etc. A small pack of face paints can be great fun!
🧴 PERSONAL ITEMS
- ☐ Towels – shower and beach
- ☐ Toiletries / toilet bag
- ☐ Sunscreen
- ☐ High-visibility jacket
- ☐ Hand sanitiser
- ☐ Netted / machine-friendly laundry bag
- ☐ Writing materials – copybook, dictionary, pens etc.
- ☐ Lunchbox
- ☐ Reusable water bottle
⚽ SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
- ☐ Gumshield
- ☐ Football boots
- ☐ Helmet – if bringing a hurley
- ☐ Musical instrument – optional
- ☐ Wetsuit**
**Wetsuits: We provide wetsuits for our water sports activities. Students are welcome to bring their own wetsuit if they wish to use it for beach swimming.
💊 MEDICATION
- ☐ Essential medication, if applicable – e.g. inhalers, EpiPens or other medication
All medication must be declared to us in advance.
🏠 COLÁISTE ÍDE RESIDENTIAL COURSE
Students attending our Coláiste Íde Residential Course should also bring:
- ☐ Duvet
- ☐ Duvet cover
- ☐ Sheets
- ☐ Pillow & pillowcase
Please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name.