St Josephs
Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 370 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 168 girls, 202 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19938T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Joseph’s National School is a co‑educational primary school situated off Tivoli Road in Dún Laoghaire, with direct access from Cualanor. The school serves roughly 420 pupils from a wide range of nationalities and faith backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. Its educational philosophy is centred on providing a well‑ordered, caring and stimulating environment that meets the intellectual, spiritual, physical and emotional needs of each child, in line with the revised Primary Curriculum (1999). A strong Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin underpins the curriculum, while a high emphasis is placed on literacy, numeracy and the development of independence. The school benefits from a purpose‑built building opened in 1962, equipped with dedicated classrooms for infants and senior classes, supervised play areas, and facilities for swimming lessons at the nearby Monkstown Pool. A varied programme of after‑school clubs, sports teams and educational tours enriches the pupil experience, and the school works closely with parents through regular communication and a vibrant Parents’ Association. Uniform standards and a structured daily timetable support a disciplined yet nurturing learning environment.
History
St Joseph’s was originally opened in 1860 and was among the first Montessori schools in Ireland. The present school building was inaugurated on 12 September 1962. The trustees are the Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, founded in France in 1790 and active in the Dún Laoghaire area since 1856. The school operates as a Catholic co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin.
Applying to St Josephs
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 Josephs. 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 Josephs
How many pupils attend St Josephs?
St Josephs has 370 pupils enrolled, 168 girls and 202 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Josephs a DEIS school?
Yes. St Josephs 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 Josephs?
St Josephs has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.