Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas
DUNDALK, Louth
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 148 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 71 girls, 77 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18347O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Nicholas’ National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Dundalk town. Operating under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, the school welcomes children of all faiths and none, fostering an inclusive, caring and happy learning environment. The curriculum is delivered in a vibrant setting that balances academic rigour with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including cross‑border programmes such as Peace Plus, entrepreneurship projects like Sam’s Business Bus, and regular STEM and engineering visits. The school’s facilities have been modernised to support both mainstream pupils and those with additional needs. A purpose‑built “Haven” opened in September 2017 provides two specialist classes for children with autism, each staffed by a teacher and two support assistants. In September 2022 a new building was completed to accommodate the mainstream classes alongside the Haven, offering contemporary classrooms, a well‑equipped hall for performances and assemblies, and access to local community resources such as the Dundalk Sports Centre and library trips. These developments reflect the school’s commitment to providing a supportive, forward‑looking education for all its pupils.
History
Education on the present site began in 1960 after the closure of the former schools that were based in Wellington Hall, St Mary’s Road. The original two‑teacher school has undergone two major transformations, the most recent being the opening of a new building in September 2022 to house both mainstream classes and the specialist autism provision. The Haven, a purpose‑built facility for children with autism, opened in September 2017 and currently comprises two classes of six pupils each.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas
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
View Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas' own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 San Nioclas
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas?
Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas has 148 pupils enrolled, 71 girls and 77 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas 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 San Nioclas?
Scoil Náisiúnta San Nioclas has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.