Booterstown Boys
Booterstown, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 189 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 06200O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Mary’s Boys National School, Booterstown, is a Catholic primary school that aims to educate the whole child – academically, spiritually, creatively and physically. The curriculum follows the Primary School Curriculum framework, covering a broad range of subjects and the seven key competencies of the New Primary Curriculum. Learning is delivered in a supportive environment that welcomes pupils of all abilities, with dedicated support services to meet individual needs. The school places a strong emphasis on community and student voice, evident in the active Student Council which operates using the Lundy Model to give pupils space, voice, audience and influence. The school campus at Grotto Place provides ample indoor and outdoor learning spaces, including a playground, sports facilities and areas for project‑based activities such as the Green Schools Committee and various extracurricular programmes (e.g., kayaking on the River Liffey, visits to cultural sites, and sports days). A before‑and‑after‑school programme offers additional care and enrichment, while a clear uniform policy and a distinctive school crest reinforce a sense of identity and belonging.
History
St Mary’s B.N.S. was originally established in 1852. In 1968 a completely new school building was erected on Grotto Place, Booterstown, where the school continues to operate today.
Applying to Booterstown Boys
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 Booterstown Boys. 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 Booterstown Boys
How many pupils attend Booterstown Boys?
Booterstown Boys has 189 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Booterstown Boys a DEIS school?
No. Booterstown Boys 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 Booterstown Boys?
Booterstown Boys has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.