Scoil Colmcille Senior
Ballybrack, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 147 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 72 girls, 75 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19438W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Colmcille Senior is a co‑educational National School situated on a greenfield site in Ballybrack, south County Dublin. The school caters for children aged four to twelve, providing both a Junior and a Senior section within a single campus. With a current enrolment of around 148 pupils, the school offers a close‑knit learning environment supported by a dedicated team of teaching and learning‑support staff. Classrooms are housed in permanent, purpose‑built buildings that have been expanded over the years to accommodate growing numbers, and the campus includes specialised spaces for children with additional educational needs. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, integrating pupils with special needs into mainstream classes with the assistance of special‑needs assistants and a dedicated support team. A focus on holistic development is evident through a balanced curriculum that combines academic instruction with opportunities for social, cultural and extracurricular activities, supported by an active school calendar and community engagement initiatives. Facilities are designed to foster a safe and stimulating environment, with modern classrooms, dedicated learning support areas and access to outdoor spaces that encourage physical activity and experiential learning. The school’s commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in its regular policy updates and transparent communication with families.
History
Scoil Colmcille was founded in 1975 by Canon Donal Cregan, the parish priest, when it operated from the Parish Hall beside Ss Alphonsus and Columba in Ballybrack village. The school subsequently relocated to a greenfield site in the same area, initially occupying a group of prefabricated buildings under the leadership of its first Principal Teacher, Mr John Dennehy. As pupil numbers increased, permanent buildings were constructed and the campus was expanded to its present size. When enrolments approached one thousand, the school was divided into a Junior School (ages four to eight) and a Senior School (ages eight to twelve) in 1979, with separate Principal Teachers appointed for each section (Mrs Duffy and Mr Joe Griffin).
Applying to Scoil Colmcille Senior
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 Colmcille Senior. 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 Colmcille Senior
How many pupils attend Scoil Colmcille Senior?
Scoil Colmcille Senior has 147 pupils enrolled, 72 girls and 75 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Colmcille Senior a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Colmcille Senior 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 Colmcille Senior?
Scoil Colmcille Senior has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.