St Finians Community College
Swords, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 671 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 321 girls, 350 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 70120F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Finian's Community College is a co-educational multi-denominational secondary school in Swords, Dublin, serving the local community for more than 60 years. The school has DEIS status and an enrolment of 671 students. Its stated core values are Respect, Responsibility, Diversity and Equality. The Junior Cycle programme includes core subjects of English, Irish, Maths, Science, SPHE, CSPE, PE, RE, History, Geography and Wellbeing. Students choose one modern language from French, German or Spanish, and two options from Business Studies, Materials Technology (Wood), Technology, Technical Graphics, Music, Home Economics and Art. Classroom Based Assessments are completed during second and third year. The school also offers the JCSP, Leaving Certificate and Transition Year programmes. Support services include learning support, a Home School Liaison service, a School Completion Programme, guidance and careers support, and after school study. Extracurricular activities include soccer, football, hurling, basketball, tennis, music, debating and musicals. The school runs a Green Schools programme and has a student council and student leadership group.
Applying to St Finians Community 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 Finians Community 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 Finians Community College
How many pupils attend St Finians Community College?
St Finians Community College has 671 pupils enrolled, 321 girls and 350 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St Finians Community College a DEIS school?
Yes. St Finians Community College 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 Finians Community College?
St Finians Community College has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.