St. Fergals Boys National School
DUBLIN 11, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 180 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 1 girls, 179 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18137D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Fergal’s Boys National School is a senior national school situated in Finglas West, Dublin, catering for pupils from second to sixth class. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes two dedicated ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) classes, a Special Educational Needs (SET) team and a Health and Social Care (HSCL) teacher, ensuring that the diverse learning and wellbeing needs of all children are met. As a DEIS Band 1 school, it receives additional support to promote equity and inclusion, and it operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, with governance by a Board of Management. The school’s educational philosophy embraces the holistic development of each pupil – intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and physical. A strong emphasis is placed on creating a fun, engaging and supportive learning environment where pupils are encouraged to reach their full potential. The Catholic ethos underpins the curriculum, fostering respect for faith and reason while welcoming children from all religious backgrounds. Facilities include dedicated classrooms for special needs, active sports provisions such as football, and a range of extracurricular activities that enrich the school experience.
History
In the 1940s Finglas was a small village, but rapid housing development in the 1950s brought many families and children to the area, leading to severe overcrowding at the existing school. In March 1956 Monsignor Glennon turned the first sod on the site at Cappagh Road, and St Fergal’s opened its doors on 1 September 1957. The school was officially blessed in December 1957 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, with the ceremony held in the school hall. Following the division of the ancient parish of Finglas, St Fergal’s became the school for the western part, and in 1959 the temporary “Tin Church” of the Incarnation was erected. By 1967 the school had grown to 28 teachers and 1 200 boys, many taught in prefabricated classrooms, and it boasted an award‑winning choir directed by Liam Hanley.
Applying to St. Fergals 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. Fergals 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. Fergals Boys National School
How many pupils attend St. Fergals Boys National School?
St. Fergals Boys National School has 180 pupils enrolled, 1 girls and 179 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Fergals Boys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Fergals 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. Fergals Boys National School?
St. Fergals Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.