Eoin Baisde Boys Sois
Clontarf, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 294 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19006Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St John the Baptist Junior Boys’ National School, commonly known as Belgrove Junior Boys, is a Catholic primary school for boys aged 5 to 8. Situated on the Belgrove campus in Clontarf, the school accommodates over 320 pupils across 12 classrooms, ranging from Junior Infants to Second Class. A dedicated team of around 30 staff members delivers a broad, balanced curriculum that places strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, sport, the arts and emerging technologies. Classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, class‑wide audio systems and a fleet of iPads, enabling dynamic, hands‑on learning experiences. The school benefits from modern facilities following a major redevelopment completed in 2012, which added a two‑storey block of ten classrooms and refurbished the infant corridor. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, with GAA sessions, dance and drumming workshops, STEM week, Arts Day and regular school productions, fostering well‑rounded development. Strong home‑school links are encouraged through an active parents’ association and close collaboration with the Clontarf Parish Pastoral Team and the Archdiocese of Dublin.
History
The name “Belgrove” likely derives from the French *belle* (beautiful) and *grove*. The original school buildings were erected around 1846 on Vernon Avenue, later becoming the site of Holy Faith Convent’s all‑weather hockey pitch. In 1940 the school moved to St John’s House (now Belgrove House) on two acres of land, adopting the name St John the Baptist Schools, though “Belgrove” remained the popular moniker. By the mid‑1950s enrolments had swelled to 700 boys and 600 girls, prompting the construction of a nine‑room Junior Boys’ School in 1955/56, followed by ten additional classrooms for the Senior Boys’ School in 1964; the girls were relocated in 1971. Notable author John McGahern taught at the school before his literary fame. After a period of extensive construction and refurbishment under Principal John O’Sullivan from 2010, the school now boasts modern facilities and a staff of 30.
Applying to Eoin Baisde Boys Sois
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 Eoin Baisde Boys Sois. 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 Eoin Baisde Boys Sois
How many pupils attend Eoin Baisde Boys Sois?
Eoin Baisde Boys Sois has 294 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Eoin Baisde Boys Sois a DEIS school?
No. Eoin Baisde Boys Sois 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 Eoin Baisde Boys Sois?
Eoin Baisde Boys Sois has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.