St Brighids Special School
Dundalk, Louth
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 104 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 42 girls, 62 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18772G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Brigids Special School provides an inclusive, specialised education for children and young people with mild learning difficulties, catering for ages four to eighteen. The school adopts a differentiated curriculum that aligns with the New Primary Curriculum and Aistear, ensuring each pupil follows an Individual Education Plan (IEP) tailored to their strengths and needs. In the primary section, four colour‑coded classes (Red, Blue, Yellow and Green) guide learners through the junior and senior infant years up to sixth class, with a strong emphasis on sensory development, practical life skills and personal wellbeing. A dedicated sensory soft‑play area is used for physical education, meditation and relaxation, supporting both academic and emotional growth. Beyond the primary phase, the school offers a range of junior and senior cycle programmes, including woodwork, horticulture and green‑school projects, home economics, and creative arts. These subjects provide hands‑on, practical learning experiences that build confidence and vocational skills. The school’s ethos centres on nurturing each child’s potential in a supportive environment, fostering independence, social interaction and a love of learning.
History
St Brigids School was officially opened in 1970. Since its foundation, the school has developed specialised provision for students with mild learning difficulties, expanding its curriculum and facilities to support learners from early childhood through to senior cycle.
Applying to St Brighids Special 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 Brighids Special 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 Brighids Special School
How many pupils attend St Brighids Special School?
St Brighids Special School has 104 pupils enrolled, 42 girls and 62 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Brighids Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Brighids Special School 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 St Brighids Special School?
St Brighids Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.