St Canices Girls National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Canice’s Girls’ National School is an all‑girls primary school situated in Finglas Village, North Dublin. The school provides three classes at each level from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, fostering an inclusive, welcoming and energetic environment where pupils are encouraged to enjoy learning and develop their full potential. Small class sizes are a priority, achieved through the use of the historic main building, the original “small school” and a series of modern prefabricated classrooms, with two additional units scheduled for October. The campus offers a range of facilities that support both academic and personal development. Outdoor spaces include a sensory garden, planted areas and a well‑equipped playground, providing opportunities for exploration and play. Inside, the school promotes wellbeing through programmes such as healthy eating initiatives and a dedicated breakfast service. The ethos centres on a happy, fun and supportive community that values cooperation, respect and the holistic growth of every child.
History
St. Canice’s Girls’ National School occupies the site on Séamus Ennis Road, Finglas. The original “small school” was built in 1943 as a boys’ school with three classrooms heated by solid‑fuel stoves. Girls in the parish at that time attended St. Brigid’s School or a private school in St. Michael’s. In 1963 the “main school” was constructed, providing separate upstairs and downstairs sections for boys and girls respectively; the girls’ section was run by the Holy Faith Nuns. After the boys moved to a new building on Glasanaon Road in 1971, the girls’ school expanded rapidly, accommodating up to 850 pupils between 1972 and 1975 with classes of 45‑50 girls each. Uniforms comprised a blue skirt, white blouse, blue jumper and beret, and pupils used wooden desks with shared seating. Today the school continues to grow, with classrooms spread across the main building, the small school and six prefabricated units (two more due), and features such as a sensory garden, planted areas and a playground enhancing the learning environment.