Our Lady Of The Wayside
Dublin 18, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 292 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 145 girls, 147 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18806U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady of the Wayside National School is a mixed‑gender Catholic primary school situated in Kilternan, Dublin 18, catering for approximately 300 pupils with a dedicated team of over 20 staff members. The school’s ethos centres on creating a Christian atmosphere that respects the dignity and individuality of each child, encouraging them to reach their full potential in a happy, supportive learning environment. A broad and varied curriculum underpins this approach, with particular emphasis on safe cycling and community involvement, reflecting the school’s historic ties to local traditions. The campus has developed considerably since its modest beginnings, now offering a range of facilities that support both academic and extracurricular activities. These include multiple classrooms, a well‑equipped kitchen, a long room that can be converted into additional teaching spaces, an office, and modern heating systems. The school also provides a range of after‑school programmes, a vibrant Parents’ Association, and an active Board of Management, all contributing to a well‑rounded educational experience for pupils.
History
Our Lady of the Wayside National School opened on 1 July 1965 with three classrooms, cloakrooms, bathrooms and a water tower, enrolling 52 children under the guidance of Mr Frank Kelliher and Mrs Maura Kelliher. Within three years the roll had doubled to 104 pupils, prompting an extension that added an office, kitchen, a long room (two convertible classrooms) and a boiler room for central heating. Continued growth has seen the school expand to accommodate over 320 pupils and 22 staff members today. The school takes its name from the local blue church, a landmark in Kilternan, and celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Wayside on 24 May. A former tradition of blessing bicycles and cyclists in South Dublin, which continued until about 1980, underlines the school’s ongoing commitment to safe cycling education.
Applying to Our Lady Of The Wayside
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 The Wayside. 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 The Wayside
How many pupils attend Our Lady Of The Wayside?
Our Lady Of The Wayside has 292 pupils enrolled, 145 girls and 147 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Our Lady Of The Wayside a DEIS school?
No. Our Lady Of The Wayside 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 The Wayside?
Our Lady Of The Wayside has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.