St Dominics College
Cabra, Dublin
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 790 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 60731F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Dominic’s College, Cabra, is an all‑girls voluntary secondary school founded in 1835 by the Dominican Sisters. It operates under the patronage of the Le Chéile Trust and is governed by a Board of Management. The college embraces a Catholic, Dominican ethos centred on the motto *Veritas* – the pursuit of truth – while welcoming pupils of all religious traditions. Its educational philosophy seeks to develop the whole person, fostering intellectual, physical, moral, social and spiritual growth through a balanced curriculum and a supportive community. The school is set in extensive, mature grounds off the Navan Road, Dublin 7, and has recently undergone major refurbishment that blends heritage buildings with state‑of‑the‑art facilities. These modern learning environments support curriculum innovation and a commitment to educational excellence. In addition to academic provision, St Dominic’s offers a range of extracurricular activities, virtual tours, and a school‑device programme, all aimed at preparing students for further education and active participation in contemporary society.
History
The Dominican Sisters first arrived in Cabra on 12 December 1819, commemorating that date each year. Their presence in Ireland dates back to a 1644 reference in Galway, with earlier Dublin foundations at Channel Row (1717) and later Clontarf (1808). Upon arrival, the sisters opened a school for the poor, followed by a boarding school in 1835, a Deaf school in 1846, and junior schools for both boys and girls. They later entered the free second‑level system, phasing out the boarding and junior schools. Today, St Dominic’s College occupies a large campus in Cabra, serving as the anchor for several neighbouring schools, and continues the Dominican tradition into its next two centuries.
Applying to St Dominics College
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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to St Dominics College. 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Dominics College
How many pupils attend St Dominics College?
St Dominics College has 790 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Dominics College a DEIS school?
No. St Dominics College 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 Dominics College?
St Dominics College has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' post-primary school.