Rathdown School
School Details
Location
About
Rathdown School is a voluntary, fee‑paying, co‑educational day and boarding school situated on a 16‑acre campus in Glenageary, South Dublin. Set on a hill overlooking Dublin Bay with views of the Wicklow Mountains, the school provides a tranquil yet well‑connected environment, easily reachable from Dublin city and the airport. It welcomes pupils from three years of age up to eighteen, offering small class groups across a broad range of academic subjects, complemented by a rich programme of extra‑curricular activities, including a state‑of‑the‑art music school, extensive sports facilities and a purpose‑built water‑based hockey pitch with a 175‑seat stand. The school’s ethos is rooted in its Protestant heritage while being fully inclusive of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on challenging yet enjoyable learning, personal best achievement and the development of confident, capable young people ready for the world. Boarding is accredited by the Boarding School Association, and the campus features modern learning spaces such as the Hub community area, alongside historic buildings that house senior and junior schools.
History
Rathdown School was founded in 1973 through the amalgamation of four Dublin girls’ schools – Park House School, The Hall School and Hillcourt School, with Glengara Park joining in 1988. Its origins trace back to Castle Park School for boys (1903) and the purchase of Hillcourt (renamed Innismore) in 1919. The senior school was constructed in 1994, with extensions added in 1998, a new Innismore building in 2002 (including single‑bed boarding and a music school), the Hub community area in 2011, and a world‑class water‑based hockey pitch opened in 2015. A centenary of education was celebrated in 2019. In March 2022 the school announced a transition to co‑education, with boys being introduced from 2023, reflecting a modern, inclusive ethos.