Blackrock College
Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,041 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60030V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Blackrock College is a day‑and‑boarding school for boys situated on 56 acres of rolling parkland on the edge of Dublin Bay, four miles from the city centre. Established by the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1860, the college operates under the Spiritan ethos and its seven core values of openness, global outlook, personal development, and high educational standards. The school delivers a holistic education that balances rigorous academic programmes with spiritual, cultural, pastoral and sporting opportunities, encouraging pupils to become critical, reflective thinkers who act with humility, honesty and compassion. The campus combines historic buildings with modern, state‑of‑the‑art facilities, including a dedicated boarding house, a chapel with livestreamed services, extensive sports amenities and specialised spaces for science, arts and technology. A vibrant community life is fostered through a range of extracurricular activities, such as science weeks, concerts and international immersion programmes, all designed to nurture each boy’s talents and prepare him for a life of service and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
History
Blackrock College, originally known as the French College, was founded in 1860 by Père Jules Leman CSSp and his French companions. Its dual aim was to train personnel for missionary service in the Third World and to provide a first‑class Catholic education for Irish boys. Over the ensuing decades the college expanded to include a successful Civil Service training department and a university college housed in the Castle. With the introduction of public secondary examinations, Blackrock excelled academically, and lay staff were gradually incorporated. The French tradition of a broad cultural education continued as new buildings were added to meet growing demand. The college’s motto, *Fides et Robur* (Faith and Fortitude), remains central to its ethos, guiding the education of successive generations of “Rockmen.”
Applying to Blackrock College
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
View Blackrock College's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Blackrock College. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Blackrock College
How many pupils attend Blackrock College?
Blackrock College has 1,041 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Blackrock College a DEIS school?
No. Blackrock College 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 Blackrock College?
Blackrock College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.