Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan
Skerries, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 183 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 82 girls, 101 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16844S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Brendan’s National School, Loughshinny, is a co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. Situated in a picturesque harbour village in North County Dublin, the school benefits from an idyllic setting just a stone’s throw from the beach and close to the amenities of Skerries Mills and Ardgillan Castle. The current building, opened in 1989, provides modern classrooms for each year group, while the former school building now supports a range of community initiatives, reinforcing strong local ties. The school operates under a Catholic ethos overseen by the Archbishop of Dublin, yet it actively welcomes pupils of all cultures, beliefs and abilities, striving to accommodate diverse needs where resources allow. Its educational philosophy aims to develop each child’s full moral and academic potential within a happy, safe environment that encourages responsibility and community participation. A balanced timetable includes a structured school day, uniform options from a local supplier, and a variety of extra‑curricular activities, both creative and sporting, promoted through the school’s ethos of holistic development. Communication with families is facilitated via the Aladdin Connect platform and email, ensuring timely updates and parental involvement.
History
The present St Brendan’s National School, opened in 1989, is the third school erected in the Loughshinny village within a century. The original 1867 schoolhouse, now a private residence, comprised a single classroom with accommodation for the schoolmistress above. A second school built in 1929, originally containing two classrooms, now serves as the village Community Centre. The school’s roll books date back to 1867, recording the names of coast‑guard children stationed in Loughshinny until the coast‑guard station was destroyed in 1921. Additionally, the school holds material contributed by pupils to the Irish Folklore Commission’s 1937/38 nationwide project to collect local folklore and seanchas.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan
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 Náisiúnta Breandan. 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 Náisiúnta Breandan
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan has 183 pupils enrolled, 82 girls and 101 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.