St Bernadettes Junior National School
Clondalkin, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 173 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 84 girls, 89 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19743E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Bernadette’s Junior National School is a vibrant primary school situated in Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. The school caters for the junior classes and also runs an Early Start programme, providing a seamless transition from early childhood into formal education. A strong emphasis is placed on creating a caring and loving environment where children feel safe, happy and encouraged to develop their individual gifts and talents. The school’s facilities have been continually modernised, most notably through a major building project completed in 2007 which brought the campus into the 21st century. Classrooms are equipped to support a broad curriculum, and the school runs initiatives such as the “Strive for 5” attendance drive to promote regular school attendance and community spirit. Extra‑curricular activities, including science, maths and cultural weeks, complement the academic programme and foster a well‑rounded education.
History
St Bernadette’s first opened in 1982 after an initial start in rented rooms at St Mary’s school in Rowlagh in 1981. The original building in Quarryvale opened in 1982 and by 1987 enrolments had risen to over 650 pupils. In 1995 Ms Breeda Bonner became principal, overseeing a period of growth that later stabilised to around 300 pupils with an additional sixty in Early Start. A major building project in 2007 modernised the school’s facilities. Ms Bonner retired in August 2017 after 35 years of service and was succeeded by Mr Donal Ward as principal.
Applying to St Bernadettes Junior 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 Bernadettes Junior 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 Bernadettes Junior National School
How many pupils attend St Bernadettes Junior National School?
St Bernadettes Junior National School has 173 pupils enrolled, 84 girls and 89 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Bernadettes Junior National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Bernadettes Junior 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.
What is the ethos of St Bernadettes Junior National School?
St Bernadettes Junior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.