Islamic National School
Clonskeagh, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 414 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 208 girls, 206 boys
- Ethos
- Muslim
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19949B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
The Muslim National School in Clonskeagh, Dublin 14, is Ireland’s first state‑funded primary school dedicated to the education of Muslim children. It provides a full primary curriculum from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, integrating Islamic values with the Irish national curriculum. The school’s ethos stresses inclusive, equitable education rooted in Islamic principles, fostering a supportive environment where pupils develop academically, spiritually and socially. A distinctive feature of the school is the Iqra Literacy Hub, a specialised provision operating within the school’s Special Education Teaching (SET) framework. The Hub delivers structured, evidence‑informed literacy interventions for pupils with dyslexia or persistent literacy difficulties, using explicit phonics, decoding and assistive technology while keeping children fully included in mainstream classes. The school also adopts the national “Bí Cineálta” anti‑bullying policy, promoting empathy and understanding. Facilities include a purpose‑built campus acquired in 1992, expanded in 1996 with additional classrooms and an adjoining Islamic Cultural Centre, providing ample learning spaces, a playground and areas for community activities.
History
The concept of a Muslim national school emerged in 1988 following discussions between the Muslim community and the Department of Education. After securing community commitment and meeting the requirement of at least twenty‑four children, the Islamic Foundation of Ireland submitted an application for recognition in March 1990, receiving provisional approval in July 1990. The school opened in September 1990 with forty pupils, initially housed in the Islamic Centre on South Circular Road. Rapid growth led to the acquisition of a new site in August 1992, where the school relocated with 117 pupils. The official opening took place on 24 April 1993, conducted by the President of Ireland, marking the first state‑funded Muslim primary school in the country. In November 1996 the school was further expanded with five extra classrooms and the adjoining Islamic Cultural Centre.
Applying to Islamic 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 Islamic 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 Islamic National School
How many pupils attend Islamic National School?
Islamic National School has 414 pupils enrolled, 208 girls and 206 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Islamic National School a DEIS school?
No. Islamic 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 Islamic National School?
Islamic National School has a Muslim ethos. It is a mixed primary school.