Scoil Naomh Seosamh
Dungarvan, Waterford
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 151 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16732H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s Primary School (Scoil Naomh Seosamh) is a Catholic boys’ school serving pupils from 2nd to 6th class in Dungarvan, County Waterford. Situated on Mitchell Street against the backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains, the school enrols approximately 150 boys from a range of ethnic backgrounds. Its motto, “Ní neart go cur le chéile” (there is no strength without unity), reflects an inclusive ethos that welcomes children of all faiths and none, fostering a supportive community linked to the local parish, Board of Management and a Home‑School Community Liaison council. The school provides a modern learning environment with seven mainstream classrooms and seven shared‑learning resource rooms, each equipped with a library, SMART Board and teaching computer. An assembly hall doubles as an indoor physical‑education space and performance venue. All computers are networked behind an NCTE firewall, and two sets of iPads support both group and individual work. High‑speed broadband, delivered through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, ensures reliable connectivity for teaching and administrative purposes.
History
The school traces its origins to 1807 when Rev. Brother John Mulcahy, with the consent of Edmund Rice, established a boys’ school in a rented store on Main Street, Dungarvan. In 1811 the school moved to a site now occupied by the Park Hotel, and in 1835 a new building opened on the present Mitchell Street location, admitting around five hundred boys. An iron staircase, added in 1897, became a historic focal point. Up to the 1960s the building housed primary pupils downstairs and secondary students upstairs; growing numbers led to the construction of a dedicated eight‑classroom primary block, opened in March 1966 under Rev. Brother Murphy. Following a decline in Christian Brothers’ vocations, the school was transferred to the parish in December 1991, appointing its first lay principal and being renamed St. Joseph’s (Scoil Naomh Seosamh). Subsequent enhancements include a Parents’ Room (refurbished in 2008) and continual upgrades to facilities and technology.
Applying to Scoil Naomh Seosamh
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 Naomh Seosamh. 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 Naomh Seosamh
How many pupils attend Scoil Naomh Seosamh?
Scoil Naomh Seosamh has 151 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Naomh Seosamh a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Naomh Seosamh 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 Naomh Seosamh?
Scoil Naomh Seosamh has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.