Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior
Killinarden, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 141 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 55 girls, 86 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19775R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior is a Catholic‑ethos junior national school dedicated to providing a happy, safe and stimulating environment for children aged four to seven. The school’s ethos centres on kindness, fairness and friendship, encouraging pupils to develop academically, physically, socially and emotionally while respecting a wide variety of cultures and spiritual beliefs. Learning is guided by a commitment to inclusive practice, with resources tailored to meet the specific needs of each child and a strong focus on nurturing appropriate social skills and emotional expression. The school boasts modern facilities that support a diverse range of learners, including two dedicated ASD units opened in 2015‑2016, a state‑of‑the‑art multi‑sensory room, and a garden class that promotes outdoor exploration. Small class sizes, averaging fifteen pupils, enable a low pupil‑teacher ratio of 1:6, allowing for personalised attention and effective learning support. A team of mainstream teachers, resource and learning‑support staff, and a home‑school liaison ensures a collaborative approach to each child’s development.
History
Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior opened in 1982 on land formerly owned by Killinarden House, initially housing five junior infant classes in Knockmore Senior National School under its first principal, Peter McArdle. The purpose‑built school opened in September 1983 as a 16‑teacher shared‑area school and grew to over 600 pupils during the 1980s. After a period of reduced numbers, the school shared its premises with Scoil Chaitlin Maude until 2016. In 1995 it joined the Breaking the Cycle Programme, reducing class sizes to an average of 15. Leadership transitioned from Peter McArdle (retired 2009) to Chris Meehan (until 2016) and then to Dearbhla Byrne in September 2016. ASD units were introduced in 2015 and 2016, and the school now employs 12 mainstream teachers, several support staff and ten SNA’s.
Applying to Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior
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 Cnoc Mhuire Junior. 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 Cnoc Mhuire Junior
How many pupils attend Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior?
Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior has 141 pupils enrolled, 55 girls and 86 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior 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 Cnoc Mhuire Junior?
Scoil Cnoc Mhuire Junior has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.