Portmarnock Community School
Portmarnock, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 955 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 436 girls, 519 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91324P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Portmarnock Community School is a co‑educational secondary institution serving the Portmarnock area and its surrounding communities. Established in 1979 by the Department of Education and Science, the school delivers a fully comprehensive curriculum designed to provide equal educational opportunity for all pupils. Its educational philosophy emphasises the development of the whole person, integrating religious, social, physical and intellectual growth within an inclusive, learner‑centred framework. The school operates under the Deed of Trust for Community Schools, with joint patronage from the Archbishop of Dublin, the Loreto Sisters and the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee. As part of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, it benefits from a broad range of programmes and resources that support lifelong learning, community engagement and high‑quality teaching. Facilities include a modern new building, dedicated spaces for adult education, and digital tools such as the Tyro communication app and an online admissions portal, all aimed at fostering a supportive and forward‑looking learning environment.
History
Portmarnock Community School was opened in 1979 after being built by the Department of Education and Science. It was established under the Deed of Trust for Community Schools to serve the local community, with joint patrons comprising the Archbishop of Dublin, the Loreto Sisters and the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee. The school has since grown into a comprehensive, co‑educational secondary school committed to whole‑person development.
Applying to Portmarnock Community 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Portmarnock Community 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Portmarnock Community School
How many pupils attend Portmarnock Community School?
Portmarnock Community School has 955 pupils enrolled, 436 girls and 519 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Portmarnock Community School a DEIS school?
No. Portmarnock Community 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 Portmarnock Community School?
Portmarnock Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.