St Brigids & St Patricks National School
Drogheda, Louth
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 575 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 298 girls, 277 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20508B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Brigids & St. Patricks National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school situated on Bóthar Brugha in Drogheda. The school delivers a holistic curriculum that balances academic rigour with personal development, guided by a mission to nurture and challenge the whole school community. Emphasis is placed on wellbeing, inclusivity and the development of resilient, empathetic and confident children, underpinned by a strong Catholic ethos. The school benefits from modern, purpose‑built facilities that support a wide range of initiatives, including a dedicated STEM programme, a forest‑school experience and a therapy‑dog project that enhances social and emotional learning. An anti‑bullying framework based on the KiVa programme further reinforces a safe environment. The vertical, co‑educational model encourages continuity of learning from Junior Infants through to Senior Infants, fostering strong community ties and collaborative learning across age groups.
History
St. Brigids & St. Patricks National School occupies the site of two former schools: St. Brigid’s Girls’ National School (established 1956) and St. Patrick’s Boys’ National School (established 1953). In response to a need for a modern, co‑educational and vertically integrated primary provision, the two schools amalgamated in 2014. The newly formed school was formally opened in 2016 under roll number 20508B, combining the traditions and strengths of its predecessors while introducing updated facilities and teaching practices for contemporary education.
Applying to St Brigids & St Patricks 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 Brigids & St Patricks 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 Brigids & St Patricks National School
How many pupils attend St Brigids & St Patricks National School?
St Brigids & St Patricks National School has 575 pupils enrolled, 298 girls and 277 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Brigids & St Patricks National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Brigids & St Patricks 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 Brigids & St Patricks National School?
St Brigids & St Patricks National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.