Castleknock College
Castleknock, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 771 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60100Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Vincent’s Castleknock College is a voluntary Catholic secondary school for boys, rooted in the Vincentian tradition and guided by a Christian ethos that prioritises faith, respect, care for the vulnerable and the development of self‑worth through active participation. The college prides itself on academic excellence, with recent rankings placing it joint first among Irish schools and a 100 % progression rate of graduates to third‑level education. Learning is centred on active, student‑led inquiry within the classroom, complemented by a strong emphasis on co‑curricular achievement, particularly in rugby and a broad range of sports. Set on 70 acres just nine kilometres from Dublin city centre, the campus boasts extensive facilities: ten rugby pitches, five flood‑lit savannah‑style tennis courts (also used for soccer and handball), a running track, a table‑tennis centre, a soccer pitch, a cricket crease and a flood‑lit all‑weather 4G pitch under construction. Cultural and intellectual enrichment is supported by debating societies, a chess club, an orchestra, several college bands, choirs, computer and programming classes, a museum, an art gallery, a substantial library and even Chinese language and culture lessons. A comprehensive pastoral framework, including prefects, a buddy system, class tutors, year heads, a guidance counsellor, a chaplain and a learning support team, ensures each student’s wellbeing, while an active Parent Representative Association and Student Council give families a voice in school life.
History
The college traces its origins to 1830, when four Maynooth priests opened a day school at 24 Usher’s Quay following Catholic Emancipation. In October 1834 Fr John McCann purchased land at Castleknock to establish a seminary, and on 28 August 1835 St Vincent’s Ecclesiastical Seminary opened under its first President, the Very Rev Philip Dowley. The inaugural enrolment was one hundred boys, who studied humanities, rhetoric, logic, natural philosophy and theology. Between 1836 and 1861, 635 students graduated, with 147 entering religious life, including future bishops and archbishops. Over the ensuing centuries the college expanded its buildings and modernised its facilities, becoming a fully equipped day school. In 1987 day students were admitted for the first time, and in June 2006 the final boarders left, with former boarding houses converted into additional classrooms.
Applying to Castleknock 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Castleknock College. 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: 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 Castleknock College
How many pupils attend Castleknock College?
Castleknock College has 771 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Castleknock College a DEIS school?
No. Castleknock 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 Castleknock College?
Castleknock College has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.