Holy Rosary School
Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 432 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 220 girls, 212 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17576B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Rosary National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated on the Dominican Campus in Wicklow town. Operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Dublin and the trusteeship of Le Chéile, the school embraces a Catholic ethos while warmly welcoming children of all faiths and backgrounds. The learning environment is described as caring, positive and holistic, aiming to nurture each pupil’s individuality and to foster resilience, respect and a lifelong love of learning. The school provides education from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class and offers specialised support for pupils with autism, including three dedicated classes and an Early Intervention Class for children as young as three. A committed team of teachers, SNAs and ancillary staff work together to create an active, engaging atmosphere complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities. Strong partnerships with parents and guardians are central to the school’s community ethos, encouraging open communication and collaborative involvement in school life.
History
Holy Rosary School was founded on 20 June 1870 when eight Dominican nuns arrived in Wicklow Town and established the school. The current main building opened on 12 January 1950, and the Bethlehem Building was added in December 1977 to accommodate a growing pupil population. In 2011 the school transitioned to a fully co‑educational model, initially enrolling 14 boys in Junior Infants. The following year, 2012, saw the introduction of the first class for children with autism, and in 2020 an Early Intervention Class for autistic children aged three and up was established. The school continues to develop its facilities and programmes to provide a high‑quality experience for its pupils.
Applying to Holy Rosary 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 Holy Rosary 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 Holy Rosary School
How many pupils attend Holy Rosary School?
Holy Rosary School has 432 pupils enrolled, 220 girls and 212 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Rosary School a DEIS school?
No. Holy Rosary 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 Holy Rosary School?
Holy Rosary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.