St Gabriels National School
Ballyfermot, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 211 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 112 girls, 99 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19661C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Gabriel’s Primary School is a Catholic‑patroned community school situated on Ballyfermot Road, welcoming children of all faiths, nationalities and traditions. The school provides a holistic education for pupils aged 4‑12, delivering the full Irish primary curriculum alongside a strong emphasis on spiritual, moral and physical development. Learning is enriched through a wide range of extra‑curricular activities, including music, drama, sport and environmental projects such as the “Green Flag” and “Active Flag” initiatives. The campus boasts modern facilities that support contemporary teaching and learning, including a dedicated computer room, library, student cookery room, gardening area, and specialised music and drama space. Classrooms are well‑resourced and equipped with interactive whiteboards, forming part of a virtual learning environment that enhances engagement. The school also offers targeted support for pupils with special educational needs and for gifted learners, employing innovative approaches in mathematics problem‑solving and differentiated literacy instruction. Strong partnership with parents and the local community underpins the school’s ethos of kindness, inclusion and academic excellence, ensuring each child can reach their full potential in a caring, supportive atmosphere.
History
St. Gabriel’s was founded on 8 March 1953 when six Dominican Sisters, led by Mother Ignatius, opened the first school in Ballyfermot at the request of Archbishop Dr Mc Quaid. Initially an infant girls’ school within a larger Dominican campus that also included St Michael’s and St Raphael’s, the site quickly expanded to accommodate up to 4 000 pupils, becoming the largest primary school campus in Europe at the time. Re‑organisation in 1979 created three vertical schools (Junior Infants to 6th class). In 1987 the campus was rationalised to two buildings, with St Gabriel’s remaining in its original premises. The most recent change, in 2015, transitioned the school to a co‑educational model, gradually retaining boys beyond first class and adapting resources to meet evolving social and emotional needs.
Applying to St Gabriels 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 Gabriels 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 Gabriels National School
How many pupils attend St Gabriels National School?
St Gabriels National School has 211 pupils enrolled, 112 girls and 99 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Gabriels National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Gabriels 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 Gabriels National School?
St Gabriels National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.