Scoil Lorcáin
Baile na Manach, Dublin
Key facts
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 485 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 242 girls, 243 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18451J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Lorcáin is a co‑educational, all‑Irish primary school operating under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. Established in 1952, the school delivers its curriculum through the Irish language, fostering a strong appreciation of Irish culture and heritage among its pupils. With a roll of approximately 486 children, the school is staffed by a full complement of 20 class teachers, five full‑time special‑education teachers, six special needs assistants, and a dedicated administrative team, ensuring a supportive learning environment for a wide range of abilities. The school is situated on Eaton Square, on the boundary between Monkstown and Blackrock, a short distance from the sea and the DART line, making it accessible to families from the local area as well as the wider Dún Laoghaire region and beyond. Facilities support a broad curriculum that includes Irish language, mathematics, science and the arts, complemented by a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities such as music, visual art, sport, traditional and modern singing, and a homework club. Specialist teachers provide Tae Kwon‑Do and Gaelic Games, and the school fields hurling and football teams for both boys and girls from senior classes.
History
Scoil Lorcáin was founded in 1952 as a Gaelscoil under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, with the aim of providing Irish‑medium education and nurturing Irish cultural appreciation. It is reputed to be the first school in Ireland established by a group of parents, and the parents’ association (Cumann na dTuismitheoirí) has remained a vital part of school life since its inception.
Applying to Scoil Lorcáin
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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Lorcáin. 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 Lorcáin
How many pupils attend Scoil Lorcáin?
Scoil Lorcáin has 485 pupils enrolled, 242 girls and 243 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Lorcáin a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Lorcáin 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.
Does Scoil Lorcáin teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Lorcáin teaches all subjects through Irish.