St. Tiernan's Community School
Balally, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 368 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 155 girls, 213 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91343T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Tiernan’s Community School is a multi‑denominational secondary school situated on a parkland site between Dundrum and Sandyford, serving the communities of Balally, Dundrum, Sandyford and the surrounding areas. For more than four decades the school has built a reputation for providing a safe, welcoming and respectful learning environment. The curriculum is broad and balanced, offering a wide range of academic and practical subjects across the Junior Cycle, Transition Year, Senior Cycle and adult education programmes. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking, resilience and leadership, with a strong ethos that values inclusivity and the dignity of every individual. The school’s facilities support both academic and extracurricular pursuits. Recent investments include a state‑of‑the‑art Sports Hall with a fully equipped gym, a full‑size all‑weather pitch, and interior courtyards that encourage outdoor learning and appreciation of the natural environment. A vibrant extracurricular programme offers sports, the arts, community projects and ecological activities, complemented by school productions and a robust house system. The school motto, “Coigil Aithinne D’Aislinge” – “Follow Your Dreams” – underpins its commitment to nurturing confident, motivated learners who are prepared to contribute positively to local and global communities.
Applying to St. Tiernan's Community 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to St. Tiernan's Community 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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. Tiernan's Community School
How many pupils attend St. Tiernan's Community School?
St. Tiernan's Community School has 368 pupils enrolled, 155 girls and 213 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Tiernan's Community School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Tiernan's Community 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. Tiernan's Community School?
St. Tiernan's Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.