Rathfarnham Parish National School
Rathfarnham, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 215 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 112 girls, 103 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 14939T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rathfarnham Parish National School is a Church of Ireland primary school situated in the suburb of Rathfarnham, south Dublin. It welcomes children of all faiths and none, offering a happy, relaxed atmosphere that promotes a sense of belonging within a caring, child‑centred community. The school’s ethos is holistic and inclusive, aiming to meet the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of pupils and to nurture lifelong learners who are resilient, self‑aware and socially responsible. The campus has been developed over recent decades to provide modern learning environments. Facilities include a purpose‑built assembly hall, a dedicated library and resource rooms, a computer suite, a learning support room and a well‑equipped staff area. Outdoor spaces feature new yard surfaces, playgrounds and trim trails designed to be safe and welcoming. The school operates with a team of teachers, special needs assistants and support staff, catering for approximately 220 pupils.
History
The earliest record of a school in Rathfarnham dates to 1801, with three primary schools operating by 1825. Rathfarnham Parish National School emerged around 1826 under the support of the local rector and entered the National School system in January 1896, receiving its first state‑paid teacher, Ms Elizabeth Tuthill. The original one‑room building, erected on private funds within the church grounds, served both educational and parish‑meeting purposes. After a series of relocations, including a move to the War Memorial Hall in 1962 and the opening of a new purpose‑built site on Washington Lane in 1971, the school expanded with extensions in 1986 and extensive renovations completed in 1990. Subsequent upgrades added a computer room (1998), a new reception and library (2010), and modern playground facilities, resulting in a contemporary school serving around 220 pupils.
Applying to Rathfarnham Parish 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 Rathfarnham Parish 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 Rathfarnham Parish National School
How many pupils attend Rathfarnham Parish National School?
Rathfarnham Parish National School has 215 pupils enrolled, 112 girls and 103 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rathfarnham Parish National School a DEIS school?
No. Rathfarnham Parish 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 Rathfarnham Parish National School?
Rathfarnham Parish National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.