Balscadden National School
Ring Commons, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 198 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 99 girls, 99 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 09492W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Balscadden National School is a vibrant, inclusive primary school situated in a picturesque country setting in Balscadden, Ring Commons, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The school’s ethos centres on providing a safe, secure environment where every child can thrive academically and personally. Emphasising excellence in literacy and numeracy, the curriculum is designed to nurture the multiple intelligences of each pupil, encouraging confidence, self‑esteem and a love of learning. The school promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and a strong respect for the environment, integrating physical education, active‑school programmes and community‑wide projects such as the NextGenerationEU grant initiative. Strong partnerships with parents and the local community underpin the school’s approach, ensuring that learning extends beyond the classroom and reflects the needs of the village it serves. Balscadden NS aims to be a centre of educational excellence while remaining a welcoming “village school” for every child in the area.
History
The new Balscadden National School officially opened on 26 February 1986, dedicated to Saint Benignus, the patron saint reputedly born locally. It was the third primary school in the village, succeeding temporary prefabricated buildings erected in 1967 after the amalgamation with Ring NS. The original school building now serves as a community hall. Notable local heritage includes the 2012 restoration of Aodh Ó Coirnéalláin’s historic headstone and the village’s name, Baile na Scadán (“Town of the Herrings”), reflecting its historic link to inland herring trade.
Applying to Balscadden National School
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 Balscadden National School. 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 Balscadden National School
How many pupils attend Balscadden National School?
Balscadden National School has 198 pupils enrolled, 99 girls and 99 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Balscadden National School a DEIS school?
No. Balscadden National School 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 Balscadden National School?
Balscadden National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.