Rathdown School
Glenageary, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 364 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 252 girls, 112 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60090Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rathdown School is a voluntary, fee‑paying, co‑educational day and boarding school situated on a 16‑acre campus in Glenageary, South Dublin. Set on a hill overlooking Dublin Bay with views of the Wicklow Mountains, the school provides a tranquil yet well‑connected environment, easily reachable from Dublin city and the airport. It welcomes pupils from three years of age up to eighteen, offering small class groups across a broad range of academic subjects, complemented by a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities, including a state‑of‑the‑art music school, extensive sports facilities and a purpose‑built water‑based hockey pitch with a 175‑seat stand. The school’s ethos is rooted in its Protestant heritage while being fully inclusive of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on challenging yet enjoyable learning, personal best achievement and the development of confident, capable young people ready for the world. Boarding is accredited by the Boarding School Association, and the campus features modern learning spaces such as the Hub community area, alongside historic buildings that house senior and junior schools.
History
Rathdown School was founded in 1973 through the amalgamation of four Dublin girls’ schools – Park House School, The Hall School and Hillcourt School, with Glengara Park joining in 1988. Its origins trace back to Castle Park School for boys (1903) and the purchase of Hillcourt (renamed Innismore) in 1919. The senior school was constructed in 1994, with extensions added in 1998, a new Innismore building in 2002 (including single‑bed boarding and a music school), the Hub community area in 2011, and a world‑class water‑based hockey pitch opened in 2015. A centenary of education was celebrated in 2019. In March 2022 the school announced a transition to co‑education, with boys being introduced from 2023, reflecting a modern, inclusive ethos.
Applying to Rathdown 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 Rathdown 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 Rathdown School
How many pupils attend Rathdown School?
Rathdown School has 364 pupils enrolled, 252 girls and 112 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Rathdown School a DEIS school?
No. Rathdown 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 Rathdown School?
Rathdown School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.