Ardscoil Rís
Marino, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 563 about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60420L the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ardscoil Rís is a caring, student‑centred secondary school that delivers a holistic education rooted in a Catholic ethos. The school prioritises a safe, inclusive environment where honesty, dignity and respect are woven into daily life, encouraging each pupil to pursue academic excellence while developing personal character. A broad curriculum spans the Junior Cycle, Transition Year and the Leaving Certificate with the LCVP option, ensuring that learners are well‑prepared for further study and lifelong learning. Beyond the classroom, Ardscoil Rís boasts a strong tradition of achievement in sport, drama, music and debating. State‑of‑the‑art facilities include a purpose‑built sports hall, modern playing pitch, well‑equipped library, dressing rooms and showers, as well as dedicated spaces for extracurricular clubs. The school’s vibrant community offers a wide range of activities that nurture talent, foster teamwork and build confidence, reinforcing its reputation for both academic and sporting success.
History
Ardscoil Rís opened in 1969 within the O’Brien Institute, a boarding school for the educationally disadvantaged, on a site now owned by the Dublin Fire Brigade. Under the leadership of Br. Carberry, the school expanded with prefabricated classrooms in 1970‑71 and moved to a new purpose‑built building on Griffith Avenue in September 1972, officially opened by Éamon de Valera on 21 November 1972, serving 450 pupils and 25 staff. The 1980s saw the addition of a new wing containing dressing rooms, showers, a library and sports field, while a dedicated sports hall was completed in 1998 after two decades of fundraising. In 2018 work began on a modern playing pitch, opened in September 2021. Throughout its fifty‑year history the school has maintained high Leaving Certificate results and a strong record of progression to DCU, alongside notable achievements in GAA, basketball, badminton and other extracurricular pursuits.
Applying to Ardscoil Rís
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Ardscoil Rís. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Ardscoil Rís
How many pupils attend Ardscoil Rís?
Ardscoil Rís has 563 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Ardscoil Rís a DEIS school?
No. Ardscoil Rís is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Ardscoil Rís?
Ardscoil Rís has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.