St Canices Boys National School
Finglas, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 355 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18682F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Canice’s Boys National School is a vibrant Catholic‑patroned primary school situated at the junction of Ballygall Road West and Glasanaon Road in the heart of Finglas. Although it operates under the Archbishop of Dublin’s patronage, the school is inclusive and welcomes children of all faiths and traditions. It provides a vertical, co‑educational environment for pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class, with two classes at each level, supporting a community of almost 400 learners. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, encouraging pupils to flourish academically, socially and physically. A wide range of extracurricular activities, including GAA, athletics, boxing, cycling, basketball and ICT, complement the curriculum, while dedicated resources and specialist support staff, such as Special Needs Assistants, ensure that individual learning needs are met. An active Board of Management and a committed Parents Association further enrich the supportive and welcoming atmosphere.
History
St. Canice’s Boys National School opened on its present site at the junction of Ballygall Road West and Glasanaon Road in 1971. Since its foundation, the school has grown into a thriving community that combines Catholic values with an inclusive ethos, evolving to serve a diverse pupil body while maintaining strong ties to the local area.
Applying to St Canices Boys 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 Canices Boys 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 Canices Boys National School
How many pupils attend St Canices Boys National School?
St Canices Boys National School has 355 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Canices Boys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Canices Boys 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 Canices Boys National School?
St Canices Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.