Ballyowen Meadows
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 53 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 10 girls, 43 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19355S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Ballyowen Meadows Special School is a dedicated specialist institution in South Dublin that provides education for children on the autistic spectrum aged 4‑12 years, together with an Early Intervention class for 3‑5‑year‑olds. The school delivers a personalised, autism‑specific curriculum that adapts the primary syllabus to each pupil’s individual needs, prioritising self‑management of behaviour, communication, transitions, choice‑making, independence and social skills. Learning is supported by a multidisciplinary team of teachers and Special Needs Assistants who work closely with families to design and implement curriculum‑based programmes that promote academic progress alongside emotional and personal development. The campus is equipped with sensory‑regulation facilities, including a purpose‑built sensory room with climbing walls, crash mats, a ball‑pool and mirrors, as well as occupational‑therapy resources to help pupils regulate between lessons. Fundraising initiatives such as musical bingo and community projects underpin the continual enhancement of these resources, ensuring that children have access to the specialised equipment they need to thrive academically and socially within a nurturing, inclusive environment.
Applying to Ballyowen Meadows
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 primary school dates apply broadly to Ballyowen Meadows. 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: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 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 Ballyowen Meadows
How many pupils attend Ballyowen Meadows?
Ballyowen Meadows has 53 pupils enrolled, 10 girls and 43 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballyowen Meadows a DEIS school?
No. Ballyowen Meadows 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 Ballyowen Meadows?
Ballyowen Meadows has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.