Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan
Waterford
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 396 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16976M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Deaglan is a co‑educational national school situated in Waterford, operating as a registered charity (No. 20136307). The school follows the La Sallian educational tradition, drawing on the values and pedagogical principles of the De La Salle family. This ethos places a strong emphasis on holistic development, fostering a caring community where academic rigour is balanced with moral and spiritual growth. The curriculum is delivered in a modern, child‑centred environment that encourages active participation, critical thinking and collaborative learning. The school provides a range of facilities designed to support both primary and early‑years education, including dedicated classrooms, a well‑equipped preschool area, and resources for safe digital learning. Recent initiatives highlight a commitment to online safety, with guidance from Webwise and Zeeko made readily available to families. A comprehensive school calendar and clear admission procedures are published online, ensuring transparency and ease of access for prospective parents.
History
The building that now houses St Declan's was constructed in 1853. The school itself was founded in 1932, when the Protestant Bishop of Waterford agreed that three empty rooms at the Church of Ireland Model School on Water Street could be used to educate local Catholic boys, with the De La Salle Brothers taking charge of teaching; St Declan's opened on 3 October that year. The Catholic and Church of Ireland schools operated under one roof until a new building was provided for the Protestant children, and the existing building was transferred to the Catholic authorities and refurbished, with accommodation for 450 pupils. Five extra classrooms were added in 1982. Brother Finbar O'Keeffe, the school's final De La Salle Principal, retired on 31 August 1994, and Eamon O'Mahony then became the school's first lay Principal on 1 September 1994.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan
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 Deaglan. 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 Deaglan
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan?
Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan has 396 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan 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 Deaglan?
Scoil Náisiúnta Deaglan has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.