Rutland National School
Dublin 1, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 152 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 75 girls, 77 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19946S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rutland National School is a mixed, Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in the heart of Dublin’s North‑East Inner City. It caters for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and is designated as a disadvantaged school under DEIS Band 1. The school currently enrols around 160 pupils and is staffed by a team of 16 teachers, six Special Needs Assistants and a dedicated Special Educational Team. Classes run from 8.45 am to 2.25 pm (infant classes finish at 1.25 pm), and the school welcomes pupils of all faiths and nationalities. The learning environment is enhanced by a range of specialist facilities and programmes. A state‑of‑the‑art building, opened in December 2008, houses a Nurture Room on the top floor beside a roof garden, providing a calm space for daily social‑emotional learning sessions. The Niamh McHugh Library, art‑therapy sessions, a Literacy Lift programme and a vibrant Student Council all support holistic development. Additional provisions include a breakfast club, restorative practice training, and a Care Team that meets regularly to address pupil wellbeing. Rutland NS shares its premises with the Holy Child Preschool on the ground floor, fostering a community atmosphere. The school is actively involved in local initiatives such as City Connects and the Changemaker programme, and it offers a variety of extracurricular activities including choir, football, and after‑school clubs.
History
Rutland National School was founded in 1910 on Rutland Street. In December 2008 the school relocated to a new, purpose‑built facility at the junction of Sean McDermott St and Lower Gloucester Place, where it now shares the building with the Holy Child Preschool. The school is noted for its successful “Give Up Yer Aul Sins” recordings in the 1960s. Throughout its history it has maintained a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin while welcoming pupils of all backgrounds.
Applying to Rutland 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 Rutland 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 Rutland National School
How many pupils attend Rutland National School?
Rutland National School has 152 pupils enrolled, 75 girls and 77 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rutland National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Rutland National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Rutland National School?
Rutland National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.