Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School
Dún Laoghaire, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 389 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19320W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady of Good Counsel Boys National School is a Catholic primary school situated in Johnstown, County Kilkenny, welcoming children of all denominations. The school’s ethos centres on a child‑focused, inclusive and caring environment where each pupil is encouraged to reach their full potential. A broad, high‑standard curriculum is delivered with an emphasis on respect, self‑confidence and the development of both academic and personal skills, supported by the whole school community, including parents, staff and the wider parish. The campus benefits from a modern building completed in 2006, which added five new classrooms, upgraded mechanical and electrical services, double‑glazed windows, improved insulation and an expanded school hall. These facilities accommodate a three‑stream, 24‑classroom layout and provide dedicated spaces for special education, sustainability projects and extracurricular activities such as school tours and sports. The school actively promotes environmental stewardship through its Green Schools programme and integrates sustainability into everyday learning, fostering responsible citizens who can contribute locally and globally.
History
In the late 1960s, eleven acres of farmland were purchased to build a church and primary school for the new parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown/Killiney. The school opened its doors in September 1967 with prefabricated classrooms and Mrs Nell Wallace as the inaugural principal and teacher. By 1968, Bernard O’Looney became principal of the boys’ school, operating three classrooms on a four‑acre site. A 16‑classroom unit opened in 1978, expanding the school to a three‑stream, 24‑classroom institution, though the original prefabs remained in use. The Board of Management later phased out the third stream. Bernard O’Looney retired in 1995, succeeded by Neil Cadogan, who retired in 2021; the current principal is Mrs Michelle Cotterell. A major extension in 2005 added five new classrooms and extensive upgrades, completed in September 2006 at a cost of €3.5 million, resulting in the present school building.
Applying to Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys 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 Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys 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 Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School
How many pupils attend Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School?
Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School has 389 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys 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 Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School?
Our Lady Of Good Counsel Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.