Dominican Primary School
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 184 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 92 girls, 92 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 05600C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dominican Primary School is a vibrant Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Dún Laoghaire. The school’s ethos is centred on the education of the whole person, fostering truth about God, the world, self and destiny. Learning is delivered in partnership with parents and aims to develop respect, responsibility, initiative, personal growth and leadership within a trusting community. The curriculum is complemented by a range of extra‑curricular programmes, including an Active School initiative that promotes physical activity and environmental stewardship, as well as Creative Schools projects that have welcomed a harpist and a circus act to inspire creativity. The school celebrates kindness through events such as the “Bí Cineálta” week and maintains a strong anti‑bullying stance. Facilities accommodate classes from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, with dedicated spaces for after‑school clubs and a historic oratory that reflects the school’s rich heritage.
History
In July 1847 six Dominican nuns arrived in Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) and established a convent at Echo Lodge. They opened a day school for young ladies on 26 July 1847 and a boarding school in September of the same year. Construction of the National School began on 2 February 1848 and it opened on 21 November 1848, blessed under the protection of the Blessed Virgin and St Aloysius. The school grew rapidly, serving 867 children by 1865, and later expanded its community with an oratory built in 1919. The boarding school closed in 1971 and the secondary school ceased operations in 1991. In November 1998 the school marked its 150th anniversary with a celebration attended by President Mary McAleese and Archbishop Desmond Connell.
Applying to Dominican Primary 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 Dominican Primary 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 Dominican Primary School
How many pupils attend Dominican Primary School?
Dominican Primary School has 184 pupils enrolled, 92 girls and 92 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dominican Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. Dominican Primary 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 Dominican Primary School?
Dominican Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.