St Canices Girls National School
Finglas, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 473 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18683H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Canice’s Girls’ National School is an all‑girls primary school situated in Finglas Village, North Dublin. The school provides three classes at each level from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, fostering an inclusive, welcoming and energetic environment where pupils are encouraged to enjoy learning and develop their full potential. Small class sizes are a priority, achieved through the use of the historic main building, the original “small school” and a series of modern prefabricated classrooms, with two additional units scheduled for October. The campus offers a range of facilities that support both academic and personal development. Outdoor spaces include a sensory garden, planted areas and a well‑equipped playground, providing opportunities for exploration and play. Inside, the school promotes wellbeing through programmes such as healthy eating initiatives and a dedicated breakfast service. The ethos centres on a happy, fun and supportive community that values cooperation, respect and the holistic growth of every child.
History
St. Canice’s Girls’ National School occupies the site on Séamus Ennis Road, Finglas. The original “small school” was built in 1943 as a boys’ school with three classrooms heated by solid‑fuel stoves. Girls in the parish at that time attended St. Brigid’s School or a private school in St. Michael’s. In 1963 the “main school” was constructed, providing separate upstairs and downstairs sections for boys and girls respectively; the girls’ section was run by the Holy Faith Nuns. After the boys moved to a new building on Glasanaon Road in 1971, the girls’ school expanded rapidly, accommodating up to 850 pupils between 1972 and 1975 with classes of 45‑50 girls each. Uniforms comprised a blue skirt, white blouse, blue jumper and beret, and pupils used wooden desks with shared seating. Today the school continues to grow, with classrooms spread across the main building, the small school and six prefabricated units (two more due), and features such as a sensory garden, planted areas and a playground enhancing the learning environment.
Applying to St Canices Girls 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 Girls 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 Girls National School
How many pupils attend St Canices Girls National School?
St Canices Girls National School has 473 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Canices Girls National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Canices Girls 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 Girls National School?
St Canices Girls National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.