SCOIL N. BREANDAN
School Details
About
St Brendan’s National School, Loughshinny, is a co‑educational primary school serving children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. Situated in a picturesque harbour village in North County Dublin, the school benefits from an idyllic setting just a stone’s throw from the beach and close to the amenities of Skerries Mills and Ardgillan Castle. The current building, opened in 1989, provides modern classrooms for each year group, while the former school building now supports a range of community initiatives, reinforcing strong local ties. The school operates under a Catholic ethos overseen by the Archbishop of Dublin, yet it actively welcomes pupils of all cultures, beliefs and abilities, striving to accommodate diverse needs where resources allow. Its educational philosophy aims to develop each child’s full moral and academic potential within a happy, safe environment that encourages responsibility and community participation. A balanced timetable includes a structured school day, uniform options from a local supplier, and a variety of extra‑curricular activities—both creative and sporting—promoted through the school’s ethos of holistic development. Communication with families is facilitated via the Aladdin Connect platform and email, ensuring timely updates and parental involvement.
History
The present St Brendan’s National School, opened in 1989, is the third school erected in the Loughshinny village within a century. The original 1867 schoolhouse, now a private residence, comprised a single classroom with accommodation for the schoolmistress above. A second school built in 1929, originally containing two classrooms, now serves as the village Community Centre. The school’s roll books date back to 1867, recording the names of coast‑guard children stationed in Loughshinny until the coast‑guard station was destroyed in 1921. Additionally, the school holds material contributed by pupils to the Irish Folklore Commission’s 1937/38 nationwide project to collect local folklore and seanchas.