St Raphaelas National School
Stillorgan, Dublin
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 375 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17470I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Raphaela’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated on a spacious, green campus in Stillorgan, off Upper Kilmacud Road. The school shares its grounds with St. Raphaela’s Secondary School and the Convent, providing pupils with access to extensive outdoor areas, a newly resurfaced hockey pitch with direct entry to Clonmore Public Park, and dedicated sport facilities such as the Badminton Hall. The environment is designed to nurture learning in a supportive, faith‑informed setting while welcoming children of all faiths and none. The educational ethos centres on “nurturing minds to think, hands to create and hearts to love”, emphasising the development of the whole child. Academic achievement is balanced with creativity, confidence, and social responsibility, reflected in a broad programme that includes Gaelic, camogie, hockey, science competitions, chess, and digital distinction. Regular assemblies celebrate individual talents and communal values, and the school’s liturgical calendar integrates the sacraments and religious celebrations, fostering a sense of belonging and respect for diverse backgrounds.
History
St. Raphaela’s campus comprises two historic houses: Wesbury (the Convent building) and Clonmore (the residence). Wesbury was constructed in the 1750s with a front extension added in the 1830s and was home to families such as the Wilsons, Devlins and the Pilkingtons, the latter giving the house its name and leaving stained‑glass and a coat of arms. A hidden staircase leads to a rooftop lookout once used to view Dublin Bay. The property passed to the Devlin family before being acquired by the Daughters of Charity in the 1930s. In 1932 the site covered 93 acres, including 43 acres of farmland, and the Daughters established St Philomena’s home for children. Between 1940 and 1948 dormitories and school rooms were added, linking Wesbury and Clonmore and forming the present primary school. A church built in 1952 later became the Badminton Hall, now used for sports and whole‑school events.
Applying to St Raphaelas 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 Raphaelas 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 Raphaelas National School
How many pupils attend St Raphaelas National School?
St Raphaelas National School has 375 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Raphaelas National School a DEIS school?
No. St Raphaelas 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 Raphaelas National School?
St Raphaelas National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.