Scoil Santain
Tamhlacht, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 262 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 125 girls, 137 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- All subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19646G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Santain is a vibrant Irish‑medium primary school situated in the heart of the Tamlaght community, Dublin 24. As a Gaelscoil, it delivers the national curriculum entirely through Irish, fostering fluency and cultural appreciation from an early age. The school prides itself on a collaborative ethos, working closely with families and the wider community to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment. Teaching is centred on active, wide‑ranging and playful learning, encouraging pupils to engage critically and creatively with subjects while developing strong communication skills in Gaeilge. The campus includes a well‑maintained school garden, a dedicated library, and extensive sports facilities such as a Gaelic football pitch, supporting both academic and extracurricular development. Resources are continually updated to enhance digital literacy and independent reading, and the school runs a range of clubs and activities, including a Gaelic football team, a reading programme (Accelerated Reader), and environmental initiatives through the Coiste Glas, ensuring a holistic education that balances academic rigour with personal growth.
History
Scoil Santain was founded in 1979 as the first Gaelscoil in the Tamlaght area. Established with the strong support of local parents, the school was created to meet the demand for high‑quality Irish‑language education in a community where Gaeilge has always been a living language. Since its inception, the school has grown into a close‑knit, community‑driven institution that continues to uphold its founding vision of providing excellent, Irish‑medium education.
Applying to Scoil Santain
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 Santain. 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 Santain
How many pupils attend Scoil Santain?
Scoil Santain has 262 pupils enrolled, 125 girls and 137 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Santain a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Santain 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.
Does Scoil Santain teach through Irish?
Yes. Scoil Santain teaches all subjects through Irish.