Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire
Garristown, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 191 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 95 girls, 96 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17559B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s National School, Garristown, is a rural, multi‑ethnic, co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop. It caters for approximately 186 pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and, while rooted in a Catholic ethos, welcomes children and families of all faiths and none. The school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum across all curricular areas, complemented by a wide range of extra‑curricular programmes that foster creativity, sport, music and community engagement. Recent investment in high‑speed broadband, funded through the NextGenerationEU project, enhances digital learning and supports innovative teaching practices. The school benefits from strong links with local community resources, including the Garristown Library, the local GAA club, a walking track, and the Church of the Assumption. These facilities are regularly incorporated into the curriculum, providing pupils with enriching, real‑world learning experiences. Recent extensions, including a modular building for an autism class, have expanded classroom capacity and modernised facilities, ensuring a safe, welcoming environment where pupils can thrive academically and socially.
History
St. Mary’s National School was established in 1946 as a three‑room building serving 52 boys and 58 girls. The original premises featured basic amenities such as external, un‑roofed toilets and classrooms heated by open fires. An extension was added in 1988, followed by a further expansion in 2012, which introduced additional classrooms and modern facilities, including a dedicated autism class. Over the decades the school has been led by several principals, with the current principal being Mr. Pádraig Durkan. A strong tradition of family attendance is evident, with many former pupils and staff members having personal ties to the school’s history.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire?
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire has 191 pupils enrolled, 95 girls and 96 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire?
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.