St Josephs National School
Dundalk, Louth
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 574 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 252 girls, 322 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19673J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s National School is a vibrant Catholic primary school that embraces a welcoming, inclusive ethos and a progressive educational approach. The curriculum is enriched by a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with initiatives such as “Thankful Thursday” that focus on mental health and family‑centred activities, alongside a robust literacy and numeracy programme. The school also participates in national schemes like the Blue Star Programme, encouraging pupils to explore European culture, citizenship and language through creative projects. The campus has been significantly expanded with a two‑storey extension that houses a state‑of‑the‑art sports hall and a modern library, providing excellent facilities for both physical education and independent learning. A range of extracurricular clubs, including a Breakfast Club, sports teams (hurling, Gaelic football, badminton, soccer, athletics) and community‑based projects such as the UNICEF Children’s Rights Gold Award and the Happy Land Project, support a holistic development of each child. The school benefits from DEIS funding, a dedicated Home‑School Community Liaison co‑ordinator and a proactive Parent Association, all of which strengthen the partnership between the school, families and the wider community.
History
St. Joseph’s National School opened in 1979 with Gerry Murphy as its first principal. By 1980 construction of new school buildings began and the Marist Fathers assumed administration of the newly formed Holy Family parish, with Father Des Hunt becoming the inaugural Chairman of the School Board of Management. The current Chairperson is Sr. Joan Watters of the Mercy Sisters. Over the years the campus has hosted community services such as Springboard family support, Lios na nOg pre‑schools, a Speech and Language Therapy Unit and a Special Needs Assistant Scheme. In 2005 the school joined the DEIS programme, gaining additional resources and a full‑time Home‑School Community Liaison co‑ordinator. A major refurbishment led by principal Marcella o Conluain in 2012 added a two‑storey extension with a sports hall and library, and the school now serves a diverse, international pupil population under the leadership of Dr Rosalyn Morris.
Applying to St Josephs 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 Josephs 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 Josephs National School
How many pupils attend St Josephs National School?
St Josephs National School has 574 pupils enrolled, 252 girls and 322 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Josephs National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Josephs 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 Josephs National School?
St Josephs National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.
Illustration based on a photo by Eric Jones. Photo and adapted illustration: CC BY-SA 2.0.