St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School
Fairview, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 116 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18726W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Joseph’s Primary School (Scoil Naomh Seosamh) is a senior boys’ primary school situated on Marino Park Avenue, Dublin. It caters for pupils from 2nd to 6th class (approximately 7‑12 years) and runs three specialised Outreach classes for children on the autism spectrum. The school follows a child‑centred programme that promotes holistic development, equality of access and participation, and a strong partnership with families and the local community. A dedicated Home‑School Community Liaison ensures effective communication, while the Aladdin Connect app is used for sharing information and documents with parents. The school offers a broad curriculum complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities, including GAA, soccer, horse‑riding, art projects and outdoor adventures. Facilities include sensory rooms, well‑equipped classrooms, a school restaurant that provides free, nutritious meals, and shared campus resources with Coláiste Iosaif Secondary School, guaranteeing automatic progression to the secondary level. St Joseph’s works closely with neighbouring St Mary’s Primary School, creating a seamless transition for boys moving from junior infants to 2nd class.
History
A school has stood on the site since 1888 when the Christian Brothers opened St Joseph’s as a practising school for trainee teachers. The first stone was laid on 11 November 1887 by Fr Scully, S.J. Initially a single‑storey building with three rooms, it expanded in 1901 with a science room for secondary pupils and added a second storey in 1906/07. By 1909 the school housed both primary and secondary departments, a library of 600 books and eight teachers. Known originally as St Joseph’s Marino, it was renamed St Joseph’s, Fairview in 1940 to distinguish it from the new St Joseph’s Missionary College. Over the decades the school has grown alongside the Fairview/Marino community while retaining its Edmund Rice ethos.
Applying to St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice 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 Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice 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 Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School
How many pupils attend St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School?
St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School has 116 pupils enrolled. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice 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 Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School?
St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.