Welcome to

Coláiste na Rinne

Coláiste na Rinne is a charity dedicated to the advancement of the Irish language through education.

We inspire the next generation of Irish speakers here in the heart of the Waterford Gaeltacht.

Our story

Our story is one of dedication and a shared passion for nurturing students in a warm, welcoming environment.

From our earliest days our respect for our culture, history and tradition, combined with a willingness to innovate, has seen Coláiste na Rinne thrive for over a century.

Scoil na Leanaí

At our heart sits a renowned boarding school where we proudly offer an outstanding education through Irish.

Boarding in our Gaeltacht community offers a nurturing and immersive environment which develops personal growth, lifelong friendships, and understanding of the Irish language in the safety of our wrap-around care.

Music

Sports

Classes

Activities

Art

Adult Courses

Evening Classes

Coláiste na Rinne offers online Irish Language courses which are suitable for adults of all

Daonscoil na Mumhan

Daonscoil na Mumhan is the oldest summer school in Ireland. It was founded following a

De Hindeberg Library

The De Hindeberg Library is home to a rich collection of books, manuscripts, photographs and

Summer Courses for Adults

Gaeilge agus Cultúr na nDéise 2026 Beginners Course: 1 to 7 August Bunchúrsa Gaeilge agus

Bespoke CPD Courses

Coláiste na Rinne provides CPD courses, in partnership with public bodies, which offer immersion in

SCG | OCG

Coláiste na Rinne has been delivering SCG / OCG exam preparation courses for many years

Summer Courses

2 Week Courses

Attending a Gaeltacht Summer Course is a rite of passage for teenagers in Ireland. At

1 Week Courses

Cúrsa B1: 19 – 27 June 2026 This one week course is part of Cúrsa

LC Revision Course

Cúrsa H: 5 – 18 July 2026 This two week intensive course prepares students for

SETU Summer Camps

Coláiste na Rinne is delighted to announce the launch of exciting new Irish Language Camps

Easter Courses

Cúrsa E: 2 – 9 April 2026 We introduce our students to Irish as a

Both of our sons attended Coláiste na Rinne and absolutely loved every part of the experience. From learning Irish in an immersive environment to living away from home at the age of 11, they gained independence, confidence, and made lifelong friends.

The staff and teachers at the Coláiste are exceptional, dedicated, caring and passionate about what they do. Our third son will attend in a few years, and without a shadow of a doubt, I would highly recommend this experience to any family.

We know we will be very sad when our final son finishes, as it will mark the end of our journey with Coláiste na Rinne. However, we take comfort in knowing that all of us, parents and children alike have made lifelong friends through this wonderful community.

Deirdre & Paul Daly

Our eldest daughter attended Colaiste na Rinne 3 years ago and our youngest daughter is enjoying a wonderful year this year. It is without question the best decision we made sending our girls there following in the tradition of their dad! It is truly a home away from home. The boys and girls are nurtured and cared to the highest standard. They are one big family.

The standard of Irish at the end of the year is exceptional. Attending Colaiste na Rinne is a true privilege and a year the kids will look back on as being one of the best in their lives. As a parent the communications and care are of the highest quality. There is always such excitement for confirmation and graduation and every boy and girl independent of religious beliefs are included and part of the celebration.

Olive, the school principal, is outstanding and Sinead, the parents main contact, is just a joy and navigates all the problems with effortless efficiency and deals with each problem in a very constructive and effective way. The cinnirí and Viv must be mentioned here create warmth and guidance to the kids and enable the kids to find the strength to be away from home at such a young age. The independence the kids gain from this experience will stand to them for life. My only criticism is they do not have a secondary school as I’d be the first to sign up for that!

Sarah-Jane

An experience worth investing in. Our three sons have attended the Coláiste and have benefited enormously from the time to be themselves, away from their siblings and busy city schedules.

Olive in Scoil na Leanaí ensures the curriculum is covered thoroughly in preparation for the transition to secondary school. Academically they are enriched, challenged and extended ensuring their Gaeilge is both confident and natural.

They return home after a year of fun and new experiences with a sense of maturity, appreciation and independence. Lifelong friendships are cultivated and a deep rooted connection with Gaeilge is established. We look forward to sending our youngest boy in the coming years.

Caragh

Where we are located

Located in An Rinn in the heart of Gaeltacht na nDéise in west Co. Waterford. It lies ten minutes drive off the national route numbered the N25 which connects Cork city (80Km) and Waterford City (50Km) and further to Rosslare harbour (90Km). There are several exits off the N25 which lead to Gaeltacht na nDéise and to Coláiste na Rinne. The most convenient is the route number R674 which leads off the N25 ten minutes outside the beautiful coastal town of Dungarvan on the Cork side.