St Matthew's National School
Sandymount, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 212 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 104 girls, 108 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18282M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Matthew’s National School is a small, vibrant co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class across eight single‑stream classes. Although under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, the school welcomes pupils of all faiths and none, fostering an inclusive, child‑centred environment where wellbeing is placed at the heart of everyday life. The ethos is built around the values of kindness, curiosity and bravery, encouraging pupils to develop academically, socially and emotionally while promoting respect, confidence and a love of learning across the curriculum. The school’s facilities have evolved with the community, offering a modern classroom block with extensions added in 1985, 2001, 2010‑11 and 2013, alongside a multipurpose hall, resource rooms, kitchen and staff areas. Recent enhancements include a covered sensory garden and a dedicated “Den” space for children needing a calm environment, as well as an expanded outdoor play area. A broad programme of extra‑curricular activities, digital learning opportunities and a strong focus on holistic development support pupils to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
History
The origins of St Matthew’s National School date back to 1824 when Reverend Hugh McNeile urged his congregation to fund a schoolhouse for the poor of Irishtown. After a plot was granted by the Earl of Pembroke, the school opened in 1832 following the establishment of the Irish National School System. Initially a boys’ school, a separate girls’ school opened opposite it in 1904 and still stands today. In 1951 the two schools merged, moving into a new building on the former tennis grounds, which opened in 1959 with expanded staff and facilities. The introduction of free secondary education in 1967 led to the 1969 amalgamation with nearby St Stephen’s School. Subsequent extensions were added in 1985, 2001, 2010‑11 and 2013, the latter bringing new classrooms, office space, a boiler house and an upgraded entrance. Recent developments include a covered sensory garden, an extended outdoor play area and a dedicated calm‑down “Den”, all reflecting the school’s enduring commitment to a nurturing, community‑focused ethos.
Applying to St Matthew's 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
View St Matthew's National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Matthew's National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Matthew's National School
How many pupils attend St Matthew's National School?
St Matthew's National School has 212 pupils enrolled, 104 girls and 108 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Matthew's National School a DEIS school?
No. St Matthew's National 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 Matthew's National School?
St Matthew's National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.