Holy Spirit Girls National School
School Details
Location
About
Holy Spirit Girls National School is a Catholic primary school situated on Sillogue Road in Ballymun, Dublin 11, providing education for girls from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian values and a child‑centred philosophy that seeks to nurture the spiritual, emotional, moral, cognitive, social and imaginative development of each pupil. A supportive and inclusive environment is promoted, with a strong emphasis on partnership with parents and the wider community, ensuring that every child is encouraged to reach her full potential. The curriculum is complemented by a broad range of extra‑curricular activities, including sport, music, art, crafts and dance, allowing pupils to explore interests beyond the classroom. Facilities have been progressively developed: the campus now comprises modernised classrooms, a dedicated cookery room, an All‑Purpose Room, a refurbished school hall and administration block linked by a glass‑walkway, as well as dedicated spaces for learning support. With a team of qualified teachers, special needs assistants and ancillary staff, the school is well‑equipped to deliver a balanced, holistic education in a caring, secure and well‑ordered setting.
History
Holy Spirit GNS was founded in 1968 under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Charles McQuaid, originally operating from St Pappin’s School. While the permanent building was under construction, temporary prefabricated classrooms were erected on the current playground site. The school hall served as the parish church until 1979. Initial facilities included 16 classrooms and a cookery room; in 1973 an additional six classrooms and an All‑Purpose Room were added, expanding enrolment to 1,052 pupils and 30 staff. A learning support teacher was appointed in 1976 and a special class introduced in 1977 (disbanded in 2011). Major refurbishments occurred in 1993 (main building) and 2004‑2005 (administration block and hall, linked by a glass walkway). Today the school employs 23 teachers, four SNA’s and ancillary staff, continuing its tradition of a friendly, caring, child‑centred community.