St Patricks Boys National School
Dublin
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 370 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16267G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Patrick’s Boys’ National School is a vibrant Catholic primary school serving the parishes of Donabate, Portrane and Balheary. The school’s ethos is centred on the holistic development of each pupil – academically, socially, spiritually and physically – and it welcomes children of all faiths and none. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive practice, with scaffolding for both learners who need additional support and high‑achieving students, fostering empathy and community spirit under the motto *Ní neart go cur le chéile* (“We are stronger together”). The campus boasts modern, purpose‑built classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and class sets of iPads, alongside specialist learning‑support and resource rooms. Extra‑curricular facilities include a state‑of‑the‑art sensory room, a well‑appointed PE hall, a basketball court, outdoor recreation areas and a sensory garden. These resources, together with an active School Council and close partnership with parents, create a lively, child‑centred environment where curiosity and confidence can flourish.
History
St Patrick’s Boys’ National School was founded and endowed by Sophie Evans, grand‑aunt of Charles Stuart Parnell, in 1824. Originally known as Portrane Boys’ National School, it was housed in what now forms part of College Court on the Portrane Road. The school relocated to its present site in 1980 and was further extended in 2000, retaining its long‑standing tradition of educating boys in the Donabate, Portrane and Balheary area.
Applying to St Patricks Boys 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 Patricks Boys 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 Patricks Boys 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 Patricks Boys National School
How many pupils attend St Patricks Boys National School?
St Patricks Boys National School has 370 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Patricks Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. St Patricks Boys 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 Patricks Boys National School?
St Patricks Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.