Divine Mercy Senior National School
Lucan, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 274 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 135 girls, 139 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20187H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Divine Mercy Senior National School is a vibrant primary school situated on Griffeen Avenue in Balgaddy, Lucan, County Dublin. The school provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to become independent, confident learners with strong self‑esteem. Its educational philosophy centres on holistic development, aiming to foster spiritual, well‑balanced and tolerant individuals who respect themselves and others. The curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including cricket, chess, camogie, GAA, basketball, soccer, athletics, cross‑country and a dedicated “Rainbows” support group, ensuring pupils have ample opportunities to explore interests beyond the classroom. With a teaching staff of around thirty and a team of special needs assistants, the school supports a diverse roll of approximately 300 pupils representing more than thirty countries of origin. Facilities include dedicated spaces for sports, a library that hosts the Rainbows group, and modern classroom environments equipped for contemporary teaching methods. The school also offers a bespoke mobile app to keep families informed and engaged with school life. The community ethos is reinforced through active parental involvement, a school council, and initiatives such as the Green Team and Active School Flag, promoting environmental awareness and healthy lifestyles. These elements combine to create a supportive, inclusive setting that prepares children for lifelong learning and personal growth.
History
Divine Mercy Senior National School was established in 1985. In September 2013 the school changed its name from Archbishop Ryan SNS to Divine Mercy Balgaddy SNS, while maintaining its core educational values. The senior school celebrated its 20th anniversary in the 2024/2025 academic year.
Applying to Divine Mercy Senior 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Divine Mercy Senior 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 Divine Mercy Senior National School
How many pupils attend Divine Mercy Senior National School?
Divine Mercy Senior National School has 274 pupils enrolled, 135 girls and 139 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Divine Mercy Senior National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Divine Mercy Senior National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Divine Mercy Senior National School?
Divine Mercy Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.