Scoil Padraig Naofa B
Blackrock, Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 499 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19258U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Patrick’s Boys’ National School, Hollypark is a large vertical primary school serving the Catholic parish of Foxrock and the surrounding community, while welcoming pupils of all faiths and nationalities. The school adopts a child‑centred approach, recognising each learner as an individual and providing a rich, varied curriculum that balances the national primary syllabus with tailored programmes to meet diverse needs. Emphasis is placed on building happiness, confidence and resilience, underpinned by a strong ethos of empathy, respect and active participation. French language tuition is offered in senior classes through a cultural agreement with the neighbouring Lycée Français d’Irlande, and a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including sports, science projects and gardening, support holistic development. The campus features modern facilities such as a purpose‑built computer room, a well‑equipped library managed by a parent committee, and extensive outdoor spaces comprising a senior and junior playground, a grass football pitch and garden areas. These spaces are used for break‑times, physical education, after‑school clubs and community events such as the annual Sports Day. The school’s daily timetable runs from 8.40 am to 2.25 pm (with an earlier finish for infants), and a clear health, safety and behaviour framework ensures a safe, orderly environment that promotes positive relationships and self‑discipline.
History
St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Hollypark opened on 1 October 1966 as a co‑educational three‑teacher school housed in prefabricated rooms to serve the rapidly growing Foxrock area. A permanent building, designed by Guy Moloney and Associates, was completed in September 1969, at which point the school split into separate boys’ and girls’ schools, each occupying part of the original ten classrooms. Over the following decades the school expanded with a glass corridor and six classrooms in 1971, a new building for the girls’ school and further extensions in 1974, a dedicated computer room in 1998 and two additional classrooms in 2005. The school shares its campus with the Lycée Français d’Irlande, enabling French language instruction for senior pupils. It was formally opened and blessed by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. Successive principals have overseen continued growth, and today the school boasts extensive playgrounds, a football pitch, garden areas and a vibrant parent‑association supporting a wide range of activities.
Applying to Scoil Padraig Naofa B
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
View Scoil Padraig Naofa B's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Padraig Naofa B. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Padraig Naofa B
How many pupils attend Scoil Padraig Naofa B?
Scoil Padraig Naofa B has 499 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Padraig Naofa B a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Padraig Naofa B 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 Padraig Naofa B?
Scoil Padraig Naofa B has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.