Linn Dara Schools
Cherry Orchard Hospital Campus, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 51 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 37 girls, 14 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19630O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Linn Dara Schools is a specialist, grant‑funded hospital school operating under the patronage of the Health Service Executive (HSE). It delivers continuity of education for children and young people experiencing severe and enduring mental health difficulties (NCSE Category 5 – Severe Emotional Disturbance and/or Behavioural Problems). Situated on the Cherry Orchard Hospital campus in Dublin 10, the school provides a supportive, caring environment where wellbeing is placed at the heart of the community. A full curriculum‑based timetable is offered across several programmes, including an Inpatient (Approved Centre) school, a Day Programme for out‑patients, and the Future Pathways Programme which delivers full‑time education for young people not engaged with any other support provision. The school’s facilities are housed within the Linn Dara CAMHS Approved Centre and the Linn Dara CAMHS Community Building, both located on the hospital campus. Lessons run Monday to Friday, with timetabled hours tailored to each programme, and the curriculum is designed to promote both academic achievement and personal development. Linn Dara Schools serves learners up to 18 years old from Dublin and the Midlands catchment area, fostering respectful relationships among students, families and the wider community while encouraging each young person to recognise their talents, potential and goals.
Applying to Linn Dara Schools
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 Linn Dara Schools. 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 Linn Dara Schools
How many pupils attend Linn Dara Schools?
Linn Dara Schools has 51 pupils enrolled, 37 girls and 14 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Linn Dara Schools a DEIS school?
No. Linn Dara Schools 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 Linn Dara Schools?
Linn Dara Schools has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.