St Patrick Girls National School
Rathfarnham, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 472 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 383 girls, 89 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19114T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Pádraig is a suburban primary school set on approximately 1.2 hectares of landscaped grounds in Ballyroan, Rathfarnham. It prides itself on a “village heart”, fostering a close‑knit community where many staff and parents are former pupils. The school delivers a holistic, Christian‑based education that collaborates closely with families, emphasising kindness, community, diligence and inclusivity. Its mixed‑infant programme builds on the early‑years curriculum to ensure a smooth transition from preschool, while a child‑led approach supports pupils of all abilities, including dedicated additional‑needs provision such as the Fireflies class for neurodiverse learners. The campus offers a wide range of high‑quality facilities: a school garden, tree‑lined green spaces, a well‑stocked library, modern playground equipment, a sports pitch, digital learning technologies, an impressive performance stage, a spacious hall, a basketball court and specialised sensory and quiet rooms. A rich extracurricular programme extends learning beyond the classroom, with after‑school clubs in tennis, speech and drama, Irish dancing, creative keyboarding, basketball, chess, art and more, all coordinated by teachers and external providers. This blend of strong academic foundations, inclusive ethos and extensive facilities creates an environment where every child can thrive academically, socially and personally.
History
Scoil Naomh Pádraig (St Patrick’s National School) was founded by the Mercy Order in 1966. Inspired by Catherine Mc Auley’s belief that educating the young is the most productive work for society, the school was established to develop self‑reliant, confident learners. Although the Mercy Order no longer serves as trustees, its ethos remains central to the school’s aims, and the management and staff continue to uphold these founding values.
Applying to St Patrick Girls 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 Patrick Girls 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 Patrick Girls National School
How many pupils attend St Patrick Girls National School?
St Patrick Girls National School has 472 pupils enrolled, 383 girls and 89 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Patrick Girls National School a DEIS school?
No. St Patrick Girls 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 Patrick Girls National School?
St Patrick Girls National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.