St Benedicts and St Marys National School
Raheny, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Some Irish-medium
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 165 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 75 girls, 90 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- Some subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20281W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Benedict’s & St Mary’s National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the Grange Park area of Raheny, Dublin 5. The school welcomes children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, providing a nurturing environment built around its motto “Love, Laugh, Learn”. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive education, with dedicated provision for pupils with autism spectrum disorder and specialised nurture rooms that support early years development and personalised learning pathways. The school’s facilities have evolved with the community: modernised classrooms, a well‑maintained playing field and a former resource centre now serve both academic and extracurricular activities. Participation in programmes such as Green Schools, Active Schools, the Amber Flag and a vibrant Student Council reflects a holistic approach that encourages environmental awareness, physical wellbeing and student leadership. Regular projects, events and showcases of children’s work are highlighted throughout the year, fostering a lively, colour‑rich atmosphere that engages families and the wider community.
History
When the new Grange Park estate was developed in 1967‑68, the parish priest Monsignor Fitzpatrick sought permission to establish two schools for the emerging community. St Benedict’s opened on 5 May 1969 with 80 pupils in Junior/Senior Infants and First Class. Rapid growth saw enrolments reach 972 by July 1973, prompting the opening of St Mary’s Junior School for younger children. By 1978 each school accommodated around 1 000 pupils, with St Mary’s becoming the largest junior school in Ireland (≈ 1 100 pupils). At their peak both schools operated nine classes per level and utilised forty classrooms plus seven prefabricated units. Declining numbers in the late 1980s led to the removal of the prefabs and development of the playing field. In 1995 St Mary’s moved into refurbished rooms within St Benedict’s, and the former St Mary’s building was handed to the community as a resource centre in 1996. The two schools operated side‑by‑side until 30 August 2007, when they amalgamated to form St Benedict’s & St Mary’s National School, continuing to serve boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.
Applying to St Benedicts and St Marys National School
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 St Benedicts and St Marys National School. 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 St Benedicts and St Marys National School
How many pupils attend St Benedicts and St Marys National School?
St Benedicts and St Marys National School has 165 pupils enrolled, 75 girls and 90 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Benedicts and St Marys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Benedicts and St Marys National School 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 St Benedicts and St Marys National School teach through Irish?
Partly. St Benedicts and St Marys National School teaches some subjects through Irish.