St Molaga Senior National School
Balbriggan, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 422 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 213 girls, 209 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16970A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Molaga’s Senior National School is a Catholic primary school situated on the northern edge of Balbriggan, beside the Bremore All‑Weather pitch, O’Dwyers GAA club, local post‑primary schools, the historic Bremore Castle and the town’s sandy beaches. The school provides a broad, balanced curriculum that aims to develop each child’s moral, religious and academic foundations while fostering a love of learning through a wide range of extra‑curricular activities. Pupils can take part in football, athletics, soccer, wellbeing classes, choir, yoga and specialised reading programmes, and the school is actively working towards its ninth Green Flag for environmental stewardship and a Global Citizenship Travel award. Recent developments include the construction of a new school building and the ongoing enhancement of outdoor learning spaces. A well‑maintained school garden, a developing sensory garden and an outdoor classroom provide hands‑on learning opportunities and promote environmental awareness. Strong parental involvement through the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association underpins a vibrant community spirit, enabling a variety of initiatives that enrich the educational experience beyond the classroom.
History
St Molaga’s Senior National School opened its doors on 1 September 1987, coinciding with the transition of St Peter & Paul’s National School to a junior school. Since its establishment, the school has marked several milestones, including the formation of a school choir in 1992, successful participation in the Credit Union National Primary Schools Quiz, the creation of a mural in the entrance hall, and the establishment of two Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD) units in 1998. The school is named after St Molaga, a historic figure linked to the Balbriggan area and reputed to have been a beekeeper.
Applying to St Molaga Senior 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 Molaga Senior 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 Molaga Senior National School
How many pupils attend St Molaga Senior National School?
St Molaga Senior National School has 422 pupils enrolled, 213 girls and 209 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Molaga Senior National School a DEIS school?
No. St Molaga Senior 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 Molaga Senior National School?
St Molaga Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.