St Columba's School
Glasnevin, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 378 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 264 girls, 114 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16659A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Columba’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated on Iona Road in Glasnevin, Dublin 9. The school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for roughly 400 pupils, with a commitment to caring, considerate and tolerant education. Its curriculum is designed to develop children’s moral, social, physical and cognitive abilities, prioritising safety and well‑being as the foundation for learning. A strong partnership between parents and staff underpins the educational process, with regular communication through the Aladdin platform and newsletters. The school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities that enhance the holistic development of pupils. After‑school programmes regularly include drama, Irish dancing, gymnastics, choir and a variety of clubs such as basketball, athletics, science, and musical theatre. St. Columba’s has achieved the Active School Flag, promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and maintains a vibrant athletics team that competes in local events. Facilities support both academic and recreational pursuits, and the school continues to expand its provision, having introduced boys into the Junior Infant class in 2020 and aiming to become a fully vertical school by 2028.
History
St. Columba’s National School opened its doors in October 1925. In celebration of its centenary, the school organised a series of events throughout 2025‑2026, including a school Mass, a Parents’ Association Celebration Night, an art exhibition, a music evening and a special Fun Day. Since September 2020 the school began enrolling boys in Junior Infants, with a plan to become a fully vertical school by September 2028.
Applying to St Columba's 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 Columba's 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 Columba's School
How many pupils attend St Columba's School?
St Columba's School has 378 pupils enrolled, 264 girls and 114 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Columba's School a DEIS school?
No. St Columba's 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 Columba's School?
St Columba's School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.