Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School
Littlepace, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 349 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 159 girls, 190 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20309S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School is a vibrant Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in the St Charles Houben Building, Little‑pace, Dublin 15. The school provides a child‑centred, holistic education for children from Junior Infants to Second Class, complemented by a dedicated special class for pupils on the autism spectrum. Classrooms are designed to be welcoming and safe, fostering a happy and loving atmosphere where learning is encouraged through collaborative work between pupils, parents, staff and the wider community. The school’s educational philosophy emphasises the full development of each child – academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally – underpinned by Christian values while welcoming families of all faiths and none. Facilities include a permanent 16‑classroom building, a second building opened in 2007, and ample outdoor space for sport and play. A strong partnership with the neighbouring senior school, regular fundraising initiatives such as the weekly Lotto, and programmes like the Autism Class Application Trial (ACAT) demonstrate the school’s commitment to inclusivity, community involvement and continuous improvement.
History
Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School opened in temporary accommodation in September 2001 with 55 pupils and three teachers. In September 2005 the school moved into a permanent 16‑classroom building, and a second building – the St Charles Houben Building – was added in September 2007, reflecting close ties with the local parish and the Passionist community. In 2008 the institution was split into two independent schools, a Junior National School and a Senior National School, to better serve the educational needs of the Little‑pace/Castaheany area. The school operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and is part of the Huntstown parish, welcoming children of all backgrounds.
Applying to Mary Mother Of Hope Junior 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 Mary Mother Of Hope Junior 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 Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School
How many pupils attend Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School?
Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School has 349 pupils enrolled, 159 girls and 190 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School a DEIS school?
No. Mary Mother Of Hope Junior 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 Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School?
Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.