St Michaels Special School
Chapelizod, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 163 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 73 girls, 90 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17971H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Michael’s Special School provides education for approximately 166 pupils aged 5‑18 who have a mild learning disability. The school’s ethos celebrates the uniqueness of each child, offering a broad range of learning opportunities that encourage self‑expression and active participation in all school activities. A strong focus on quality teaching and learning is underpinned by a dedicated team of teachers, special needs assistants and ancillary staff who maintain high standards of achievement within a safe, caring and inclusive environment. The school operates under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin and the trusteeship of the Daughters of Charity, embracing Catholic Gospel values that inform all policies and practices. Facilities are tailored to support diverse needs, including specialised art, information technology, woodwork and home economics rooms, a well‑stocked library, a prayer room, a dining hall and extensive sport facilities. These resources enable pupils to develop academic, creative and physical skills, fostering confidence and independence as they progress through the junior cycle and beyond.
History
The Daughters of Charity transferred 75 pupils from St Vincent’s, Navan Road, to the newly established St Michael’s on 14 April 1955. The school officially opened in 1956, originally serving only girls, some of whom were boarders. The Daughters of Charity, co‑founded in France in 1633 by St Louise de Marillac and St Vincent de Paul, arrived in Ireland in 1855 and have since expanded their charitable work across a range of services, including education for children with intellectual disabilities.
Applying to St Michaels Special 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 Michaels Special 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 Michaels Special 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 Michaels Special School
How many pupils attend St Michaels Special School?
St Michaels Special School has 163 pupils enrolled, 73 girls and 90 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Michaels Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Michaels Special 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 Michaels Special School?
St Michaels Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.