St.Patrick National School
Wicklow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 377 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 159 girls, 218 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15676S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Patrick’s National School is a co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Dublin, serving the Wicklow town community. The school operates a DEIS Urban Band 1 programme and benefits from a Home School Community Liaison Teacher, a School Support Worker and free hot meals for all pupils, fostering high attendance, participation and retention. With 19 mainstream classrooms and four specialist classes for children diagnosed with autism or mild intellectual disability, class sizes average below twenty, allowing for personalised attention and inclusive learning. The learning environment is supported by a broad curriculum that balances academic rigour with personal development. Experienced staff promote positive reinforcement and encourage each child to reach their full potential. A wide range of extracurricular activities, including a strong tradition of sport and music, complement classroom learning and nurture talent and self‑expression. Facilities include four dedicated playgrounds for junior, senior and middle classes, a purpose‑built enclosed play area with slides and climbing frames, and an on‑site playing field used for physical education, sports days and outdoor lessons when weather permits. These spaces provide ample opportunity for active play and community interaction.
History
The school traces its origins to 1832 when Rev. Fr John Grant secured a grant to establish Wicklow’s first free parish school, enrolling 300 children. Initially housed in the old parish church (later the Parochial Hall) after the new St Patrick’s Church was consecrated in 1844, the school operated with separate entrances for boys and girls. In 1870 the Dominican Sisters opened a separate girls’ school, leaving the boys at the original site. A new three‑classroom building opened on the present junior school site in 1903 under principal Matthew Murtagh; the De la Salle Brothers assumed control in 1919. Extensions followed in 1930, 1955 (blessed by Archbishop Dr McQuaid), and 1972 with temporary terrapin classrooms, culminating in the construction of the permanent main building in 1977. Subsequent leadership included principals Rita McAulay (retired 1999), Martin Murphy (2000‑2010), Rory Healy (2010‑2011), Niall Hanton (2011‑2014), Geraldine Barnes (2014‑2019) and the current principal, Lorraine Dempsey.
Applying to St.Patrick 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 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 National School
How many pupils attend St.Patrick National School?
St.Patrick National School has 377 pupils enrolled, 159 girls and 218 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St.Patrick National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St.Patrick 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.Patrick National School?
St.Patrick National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.