Ardscoil Rís
School Details
Location
About
Ardscoil Rís is a caring, student‑centred secondary school that delivers a holistic education rooted in a Catholic ethos. The school prioritises a safe, inclusive environment where honesty, dignity and respect are woven into daily life, encouraging each pupil to pursue academic excellence while developing personal character. A broad curriculum spans the Junior Cycle, Transition Year and the Leaving Certificate with the LCVP option, ensuring that learners are well‑prepared for further study and lifelong learning. Beyond the classroom, Ardscoil Rís boasts a strong tradition of achievement in sport, drama, music and debating. State‑of‑the‑art facilities include a purpose‑built sports hall, modern playing pitch, well‑equipped library, dressing rooms and showers, as well as dedicated spaces for extracurricular clubs. The school’s vibrant community offers a wide range of activities that nurture talent, foster teamwork and build confidence, reinforcing its reputation for both academic and sporting success.
History
Ardscoil Rís opened in 1969 within the O’Brien Institute, a boarding school for the educationally disadvantaged, on a site now owned by the Dublin Fire Brigade. Under the leadership of Br. Carberry, the school expanded with prefabricated classrooms in 1970‑71 and moved to a new purpose‑built building on Griffith Avenue in September 1972, officially opened by Éamon de Valera on 21 November 1972, serving 450 pupils and 25 staff. The 1980s saw the addition of a new wing containing dressing rooms, showers, a library and sports field, while a dedicated sports hall was completed in 1998 after two decades of fundraising. In 2018 work began on a modern playing pitch, opened in September 2021. Throughout its fifty‑year history the school has maintained high Leaving Certificate results and a strong record of progression to DCU, alongside notable achievements in GAA, basketball, badminton and other extracurricular pursuits.