St Fintans National School
Sutton, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 431 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 217 girls, 214 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19549I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Fintan’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated in Sutton, North Dublin, a short walk from Sutton Strand and the Irish Sea. The school welcomes boys and girls from junior infants through to sixth class and provides a child‑centred, active learning environment that balances academic rigour with the development of spiritual, moral, emotional and physical wellbeing. A broad, balanced curriculum, aligned with the revised 1999 primary curriculum, aims to nurture each child’s individuality, social skills and readiness for lifelong learning. The campus comprises the original 12‑classroom building opened in 1982, expanded in the mid‑2000s with four additional classrooms and a modern, enlarged PE hall added in 2014. Facilities support a wide range of activities, from sports to creative arts, and the school works closely with parents, the local parish and the wider community to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that respects diversity of race, culture, religion, gender and ability. A strong partnership ethos underpins the school’s commitment to providing high‑quality education in a safe, supportive setting.
History
St Fintan’s National School was founded on 1 September 1976 in temporary premises on Burrow Road, Sutton, with two teachers and 59 pupils. On 3 September 1981 a new school opened on Carrickbrack Road for approximately 350 pupils. The present building was formally opened in 1982 by Minister for Education Michael Woods and blessed by Bishop James Kavanagh; it originally housed 12 classrooms. As enrolments grew, four additional classrooms were added with support from parents and the parish, and an enlarged PE hall was completed in 2014. Today the school employs over 25 staff members and educates almost 470 children.
Applying to St Fintans 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 Fintans 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 Fintans National School
How many pupils attend St Fintans National School?
St Fintans National School has 431 pupils enrolled, 217 girls and 214 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Fintans National School a DEIS school?
No. St Fintans National 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 Fintans National School?
St Fintans National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.