St Ciarans Special School
GLASNEVIN, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 140 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 52 girls, 88 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19325J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Chiarain is a specialist special school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, catering for boys and girls of primary and post‑primary age with mild learning disabilities. The school delivers a personalised curriculum through Individual Education Plans, small class groups of typically eight to twelve pupils and a wide range of teaching methodologies that emphasise practical, hands‑on activities. Personal and social development is woven into every level of the programme, ensuring that each child can progress socially, emotionally and academically in a supportive, stimulating environment. The campus is purpose‑built and includes a central courtyard, a gymnasium and specialist rooms for Home Economics, Creative Arts, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Resource teaching and Art Therapy. Outdoor facilities comprise playgrounds, a basketball court, a football training area and a wildlife garden, providing ample space for physical activity and experiential learning. Transport is arranged via Bus Éireann and the school continually updates its resources to meet evolving student needs.
History
The school opened in 1970 in a disused former school building near the Met Office in Glasnevin. In 1979 it relocated to its current purpose‑built site, which was later refurbished in 2002/03. Since its foundation, Scoil Chiarain has been officially recognised by the Department of Education & Science and has grown its specialist provision for children with mild learning disabilities.
Applying to St Ciarans 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
View St Ciarans Special School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Ciarans Special School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Ciarans Special School
How many pupils attend St Ciarans Special School?
St Ciarans Special School has 140 pupils enrolled, 52 girls and 88 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Ciarans Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Ciarans 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 Ciarans Special School?
St Ciarans Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.