St Marks Junior National School
Tallaght, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 450 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 215 girls, 235 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19472W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Mark’s Junior National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school serving children from Junior Infants to Second Class, typically aged five to nine years. Founded in 1974, the school embraces a holistic approach to education, aiming to nurture the spiritual, physical, social, emotional, intellectual, creative and artistic abilities of every pupil. Its ethos is built around the core values of *Love, Laughter and Learning*, with a strong emphasis on respect, quality and inclusive partnership between staff, families and the wider community. The school offers a range of distinctive facilities and programmes that enrich the curriculum. Outdoor learning is highlighted through a Forest School and a school playground that encourages active play, while a resident school dog and a small flock of chickens provide unique, caring companions for the children. Additional resources include a virtual tour of the campus, modern classroom spaces and specialised language support through a Dedicated Language Development (DLD) class. These features, together with a commitment to a safe, welcoming and fun environment, support the school’s aim to develop confident, independent learners who enjoy learning.
History
St Mark’s Junior National School was established in 1974 as a Catholic co‑educational junior school. Since its founding, the school has grown to serve the local community, maintaining its commitment to a caring, inclusive ethos and the development of each child’s full potential.
Applying to St Marks Junior 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 Marks Junior 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 Marks Junior National School
How many pupils attend St Marks Junior National School?
St Marks Junior National School has 450 pupils enrolled, 215 girls and 235 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marks Junior National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Marks Junior 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 Marks Junior National School?
St Marks Junior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.