Hedgestown National School
Lusk, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 69 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 43 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17472M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Hedgestown National School is a small, rural primary school located between Lusk and Balbriggan. The school recently moved into a brand‑new, state‑of‑the‑art building that houses a purpose‑built PE hall, a basketball court, a sensory garden and a well‑stocked library, providing a modern learning environment for pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class. A vibrant Student Council, Green Schools programme and Active Flag initiative encourage community involvement and environmental awareness, while a wide range of extracurricular activities – including GAA, swimming and tin‑whistle lessons – enrich the curriculum. The school’s ethos places the dignity and value of every child at the centre of its work. Its inclusive enrolment policy welcomes children of all languages, races, cultures and abilities, and the Code of Behaviour reflects Christian values such as forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and hope. Hedgestown strives to maintain high professional standards within a safe, happy and supportive environment, fostering both academic progress and personal development.
History
In 1858 a group of local families sought to establish a school for their children and were offered an old shooting lodge on the Hedgestown estate by Lord Howth, marking the school’s foundation. The institution joined the National School System in 1860 and was known as Hedgestown N.S., originally called *Baile na Sceacha* (bushes or hedges) before being renamed *Baile Falbhach* after the hill on which it stands. A new prototype building for small schools was erected in 1945, with a second room added in 1967. From 1991 onward, prefabricated classrooms were introduced to accommodate growing enrolments, eventually providing dedicated spaces for a third classroom and learning‑support/resource teaching. Today the school employs seven teachers and three Special Needs Assistants, serving around 100 pupils. A 1996 application secured approval for an eight‑classroom modern school on a nearby three‑acre site.
Applying to Hedgestown 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 Hedgestown 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 Hedgestown National School
How many pupils attend Hedgestown National School?
Hedgestown National School has 69 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 43 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Hedgestown National School a DEIS school?
No. Hedgestown 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 Hedgestown National School?
Hedgestown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.