Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin
Rivermount, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 266 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 128 girls, 138 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19489Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Finian’s National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the parish of Rivermount, Finglas South, under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. The school embraces a Catholic ethos that promotes Christian values, compassion, and a sense of duty to society while encouraging children to develop self‑esteem, cognitive and emotional skills, and a lifelong love of learning. A safe, caring environment underpins its approach, with an emphasis on respectful relationships, personalised support and a positive work ethic that meets the individual needs of each pupil. The school serves children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, with a current enrolment of around 241 pupils, complemented by a preschool “Early Start” that accommodates up to 30 younger children. Facilities include high‑speed broadband provided through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, a dedicated Nurture Room, and specialist support staff such as Special Needs Assistants. The curriculum is enriched by a broad range of policies covering digital learning, physical education, RSE, SPHE and playful learning, ensuring a holistic educational experience that connects students with both national heritage and international perspectives.
History
St Finian’s was established in 1975 to serve the growing population of Finglas South. The school opened its doors on 7 January 1975 with 87 pupils, and enrolment quickly rose to 632 by the end of that month. Named after Saint Finian, a 5th‑century educator and patron saint of Meath, the school has been a central part of the parish for over 50 years, evolving from its early beginnings to a modern primary school with a strong community focus.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin
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 Naomh Finnin. 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 Naomh Finnin
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin has 266 pupils enrolled, 128 girls and 138 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Finnin has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.