Harold Boys National School
Dalkey, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 106 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15132B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Harold Boys National School is a Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Dalkey, serving boys from second to sixth class. The school places a strong emphasis on fostering a supportive, faith‑based learning environment that encourages academic achievement, personal development and community involvement. A broad curriculum is complemented by a range of extracurricular activities, including science open evenings, environmental projects and cultural outings such as the annual Dalkey Castle tour, which help to develop curiosity and confidence in pupils. The campus has been modernised through a series of extensions and refurbishments. Original 1901 structures now sit alongside a modern classroom block linked by a new corridor, providing five well‑equipped classrooms, purpose‑built toilets and a dedicated computer room. Recent upgrades (2007‑2012) introduced new roofs, insulation, heating and improved facilities, ensuring a comfortable and safe learning environment. Strong links with the local parish and the wider Dalkey community further enrich the school experience, offering pupils a sense of belonging and continuity.
History
Harold Boys’ National School is named in memory of the 19th‑century priests John and George Harold. It opened on 7 January 1901 as a two‑room school with outdoor toilets and a fuel shed. A red‑brick third room was added later, and two additional rooms were built on the north side in the 1960s, forming the core of the present building. The school celebrated its centenary in 2001 and was refurbished in 2007 (new roofs, windows, insulation and heating). In 2012 a corridor linked the historic block to a modern classroom with toilets, and a further extension increased the total to five classrooms, with the former back classroom converted into a computer room.
Applying to Harold Boys 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
View Harold Boys National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Harold Boys National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Harold Boys National School
How many pupils attend Harold Boys National School?
Harold Boys National School has 106 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Harold Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. Harold Boys 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 Harold Boys National School?
Harold Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.