St Malachy's Infant School
Dundalk, Louth
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 220 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 112 girls, 108 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15260K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Malachy’s Infant School is a Catholic‑faith‑based primary institution situated on Anne Street in Dundalk, catering for Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class. The school prides itself on providing a happy, friendly and welcoming environment where children take their first steps into formal education. Learning is presented as a vibrant, creative and stimulating experience, with an emphasis on making lessons enjoyable and engaging while following the new Irish curriculum. The school’s ethos focuses on the development of the whole child, combining academic progress with the promotion of positive behaviour, wellbeing and strong moral values. A strong partnership with parents is encouraged, recognising the importance of family involvement in all aspects of school life. St. Malachy’s forms part of a wider community of St. Malachy’s Girls’ and Boys’ schools, allowing a seamless transition for pupils after completing First Class. Facilities include resources for practical learning, a virtual tour for prospective families, and regular extracurricular activities such as museum visits and seasonal concerts that enrich the children’s educational experience.
History
St. Malachy’s Infant School was founded in 1898 by the Dominican Fathers and is often referred to as “The Friary”. It was one of the first schools established in Dundalk and has a long‑standing reputation for excellence. Generations of families have attended, with many current pupils having parents or grandparents who were former students. While traditionally rooted, the school embraces contemporary educational trends and the latest curriculum, maintaining a Catholic ethos and a discipline system that rewards positive behaviour. It operates alongside St. Malachy’s Girls’ and Boys’ schools, with each having its own principal but sharing close communication and interaction.
Applying to St Malachy's Infant 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 Malachy's Infant 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 Malachy's Infant School
How many pupils attend St Malachy's Infant School?
St Malachy's Infant School has 220 pupils enrolled, 112 girls and 108 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Malachy's Infant School a DEIS school?
No. St Malachy's Infant 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 Malachy's Infant School?
St Malachy's Infant School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.