Benincasa Special School
BLACKROCK, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 35 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 3 girls, 32 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18863J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Benincasa Special School, situated on Mount Merrion Avenue in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, offers a nurturing and inclusive setting for children aged 5‑16 who benefit from an individualised approach to education. The school’s ethos centres on respect, compassion and understanding, creating a safe space where each pupil feels valued and motivated to learn. Academic programmes are blended with creative and personal development activities, enabling students to build confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning. The curriculum is tailored to each child’s strengths, talents and needs, with a strong emphasis on creativity, wellbeing and communication. Through art, music, performance and collaborative projects, learners are encouraged to express themselves and develop essential life skills. A dedicated team of skilled staff work closely with families and the wider community, fostering strong partnerships that support each child’s growth and future aspirations.
Applying to Benincasa Special 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 Benincasa Special 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 Benincasa Special School
How many pupils attend Benincasa Special School?
Benincasa Special School has 35 pupils enrolled, 3 girls and 32 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Benincasa Special School a DEIS school?
No. Benincasa Special 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 Benincasa Special School?
Benincasa Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.