Holy Family School for the Deaf
Cabra, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 134 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 62 girls, 72 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20495S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Holy Family School for the Deaf, Cabra, is Ireland’s sole campus dedicated to the education of deaf and hard‑of‑hearing pupils from three to eighteen years of age. The school provides a seamless continuum of provision, encompassing early‑intervention services, a full primary curriculum, post‑primary programmes and further‑education pathways, all within a purpose‑built campus that also offers separate boarding residences for boys and girls. The teaching and support staff employ a range of assistive technologies and tailor communication to each pupil’s preferred mode – speech, Irish Sign Language and Signed English – to foster both language development and academic progress. A broad extracurricular programme enriches student life, with opportunities in sport, the arts, music, information technology and cultural activities, ensuring a well‑rounded experience that prepares learners for life beyond school.
History
Holy Family School for the Deaf was established on 1 September 2016 through the amalgamation of St Mary’s School for Deaf Girls and St Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys. As the largest special school for the deaf in Ireland, it inherits a long and proud tradition of deaf education in Cabra.
Applying to Holy Family School for the Deaf
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 Holy Family School for the Deaf. 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 Holy Family School for the Deaf
How many pupils attend Holy Family School for the Deaf?
Holy Family School for the Deaf has 134 pupils enrolled, 62 girls and 72 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family School for the Deaf a DEIS school?
No. Holy Family School for the Deaf 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 Holy Family School for the Deaf?
Holy Family School for the Deaf has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.