St. Fergals Boys National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Fergal’s Boys National School is a senior national school situated in Finglas West, Dublin, catering for pupils from second to sixth class. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes two dedicated ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) classes, a Special Educational Needs (SET) team and a Health and Social Care (HSCL) teacher, ensuring that the diverse learning and wellbeing needs of all children are met. As a DEIS Band 1 school, it receives additional support to promote equity and inclusion, and it operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, with governance by a Board of Management. The school’s educational philosophy embraces the holistic development of each pupil – intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and physical. A strong emphasis is placed on creating a fun, engaging and supportive learning environment where pupils are encouraged to reach their full potential. The Catholic ethos underpins the curriculum, fostering respect for faith and reason while welcoming children from all religious backgrounds. Facilities include dedicated classrooms for special needs, active sports provisions such as football, and a range of extracurricular activities that enrich the school experience.
History
In the 1940s Finglas was a small village, but rapid housing development in the 1950s brought many families and children to the area, leading to severe overcrowding at the existing school. In March 1956 Monsignor Glennon turned the first sod on the site at Cappagh Road, and St Fergal’s opened its doors on 1 September 1957. The school was officially blessed in December 1957 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, with the ceremony held in the school hall. Following the division of the ancient parish of Finglas, St Fergal’s became the school for the western part, and in 1959 the temporary “Tin Church” of the Incarnation was erected. By 1967 the school had grown to 28 teachers and 1 200 boys, many taught in prefabricated classrooms, and it boasted an award‑winning choir directed by Liam Hanley.