Gardiner Street Primary School
Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 298 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 148 girls, 150 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12448N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Gardiner Street Primary School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Dublin and operates under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Dublin with Jesuit trusteeship. Inspired by the Ignatian tradition, the school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, encouraging students to become lifelong learners who demonstrate good judgement, compassion and environmental stewardship. The curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extracurricular programmes, including an advanced school orchestra, set dancing, film‑making, sport, chess, rugby and the City Connects Programme, which together nurture diverse talents and interests. The campus blends historic charm with modern facilities. Since its original opening in 1830, the school has undergone several refurbishments, notably a complete refurbishment in 1994, a two‑room extension in 2007 and the Aikenhead Wing opened in 2010. In 2015, three additional rooms were added, previously serving as a community food shelter. These updated spaces support contemporary teaching methods while preserving the school’s long‑standing community role. With over 400 pupils and a dedicated staff team, Gardiner Street Primary offers a supportive environment that values parental partnership, inclusive education and active community engagement, making it a vibrant centre for learning in Dublin’s inner city.
History
Founded on 1 February 1830 by Mary Aikenhead and the Religious Sisters of Charity, Gardiner Street Primary School opened its doors on Gardiner Street, Dublin, with Sister Mary Xavier Hennessy as its first principal. The school has endured the Great Famine, the 1916 Rising, two World Wars and extensive urban redevelopment, continually serving as a stable educational and community hub. Major milestones include a full refurbishment in 1994, a two‑room extension in 2007, the opening of the Aikenhead Wing in 2010, and the inauguration of three additional rooms by President Michael D. Higgins in 2015 to mark the school’s 185th anniversary.
Applying to Gardiner Street 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 Gardiner Street 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 Gardiner Street Primary School
How many pupils attend Gardiner Street Primary School?
Gardiner Street Primary School has 298 pupils enrolled, 148 girls and 150 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Gardiner Street Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. Gardiner Street 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 Gardiner Street Primary School?
Gardiner Street Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.