O'connell Primary
Dublin 1, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 155 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17881G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
O'Connell Primary School is a boys’ primary school situated in Dublin’s North‑East inner city, just opposite the iconic Croke Park stadium. The school serves pupils from 2nd to 6th class and operates ten mainstream classrooms together with two specialist rooms for boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its learning environment is deliberately child‑centred, offering a balanced programme that nurtures academic achievement, physical health, social skills, spiritual growth and artistic expression. The school places a strong emphasis on partnership with families and the local community, encouraging active involvement and collaboration. Facilities include a range of dedicated classrooms, a Nurture Room for additional support, and dedicated spaces for physical education and creative activities. O'Connell Primary aims to provide a happy, friendly and fun‑filled atmosphere where every child can reach their full potential.
History
O'Connell Primary traces its origins back to 1828 when Blessed Edmund Rice founded the school to educate boys in Dublin’s inner city. It was later named in honour of Daniel O’Connell, the 19th‑century champion of Catholic emancipation. Over nearly two centuries the school has evolved, expanding its provision to include both mainstream and specialised ASD classes while maintaining its original mission of delivering quality, child‑centred education.
Applying to O'connell Primary
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 O'connell Primary. 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 O'connell Primary
How many pupils attend O'connell Primary?
O'connell Primary has 155 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is O'connell Primary a DEIS school?
Yes. O'connell Primary is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of O'connell Primary?
O'connell Primary has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.