Dunboyne Senior National School
Dunboyne, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 470 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 230 girls, 240 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20033D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dunboyne Senior Primary School is a mixed national school situated in the south‑east of County Meath, serving the community of Dunboyne. The school provides education for pupils from third to sixth class, with a total enrolment of approximately 485 children. It operates a co‑educational curriculum across 21 mainstream classes and includes a dedicated ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) unit, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive education and the support of diverse learning needs. The school’s staffing structure comprises a principal, a team of mainstream teachers, support teachers, and special‑needs assistants, all coordinated by a school secretary and caretaker. This professional team underpins a learning environment that balances academic rigour with pastoral care. Facilities include a range of classrooms suited to the various year groups, specialised spaces for the ASD unit, and resources that enable both mainstream and additional support teaching. The school day runs from 9.00 am to 2.40 pm, providing a structured timetable for teaching, recreation and extracurricular activities. Key features of the school include its emphasis on community involvement, a comprehensive support system for pupils with additional needs, and a focus on fostering a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere that prepares students for the transition to secondary education.
History
Dunboyne Senior Primary was established in September 1996 following the reorganisation of the separate girls’ and boys’ schools in the village and the creation of co‑educational junior and senior schools. The senior school caters for pupils from third to sixth class. At the time of the latest information, the school operates 20 mainstream classes – four at third level, five each at fourth and sixth level, and six at fifth level.
Applying to Dunboyne 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.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Dunboyne 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 Dunboyne Senior National School
How many pupils attend Dunboyne Senior National School?
Dunboyne Senior National School has 470 pupils enrolled, 230 girls and 240 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dunboyne Senior National School a DEIS school?
No. Dunboyne Senior National School 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 Dunboyne Senior National School?
Dunboyne Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.