S.S Peter & Paul Jns
Balbriggan, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 357 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 185 girls, 172 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16972E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
S.S. Peter & Paul Junior National School is a vibrant primary school situated on Chapel Street in the seaside town of Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The school provides a broad, inclusive curriculum for Junior and Senior Infants through to Second Class, with dedicated teaching staff, special‑education teachers, an EAL teacher and support assistants. Class hours run from 9.00 am to 1.40 pm for Infants and to 2.40 pm for First and Second Class, allowing a balanced mix of academic learning and play‑based activities. Uniform colours of grey, cream and wine promote a sense of community and school pride, while a soft‑surfaced play area, sensory corridor, three‑section sensory shed and a Wellbeing Wall support the physical and emotional development of every pupil. The school’s facilities extend beyond traditional classrooms to include specialist SET rooms, a spacious school hall and a range of outdoor amenities such as a walk‑and‑trail and a newly added sensory shed. The active and amber flags are proudly displayed, reflecting the school’s commitment to mental‑health awareness and inclusive wellbeing. A strong partnership with parents is encouraged through formal term‑time meetings and the availability of informal appointments, ensuring open communication and collaborative support for each child’s learning journey.
History
S.S. Peter & Paul J.N.S. traces its origins to the 1860s when it began as an infant school on Chapel Street, housed in a wooden crucifix‑shaped building that also served as Balbriggan’s first Catholic church. An 1867 inspection report noted an enrolment of 32 boys and 25 girls, highlighting the school’s early importance to the community. By the late 1920s the original premises were overcrowded, prompting the construction of a new building completed on 24 May 1935, which unified the infant, girls’ senior and boys’ senior sections under one roof. In 1974 a single‑storey infant block was added to accommodate growing numbers, and in 1989 the school restructured, giving rise to St. Molagas S.N.S. and S.S. Peter & Paul J.N.S. as separate entities. The school has continued to evolve, maintaining its historic traditions while serving a diverse and expanding population in Balbriggan.
Applying to S.S Peter & Paul Jns
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 S.S Peter & Paul Jns. 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 S.S Peter & Paul Jns
How many pupils attend S.S Peter & Paul Jns?
S.S Peter & Paul Jns has 357 pupils enrolled, 185 girls and 172 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is S.S Peter & Paul Jns a DEIS school?
No. S.S Peter & Paul Jns 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 S.S Peter & Paul Jns?
S.S Peter & Paul Jns has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.