St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School
School Details
About
St Joseph’s Primary School (Scoil Naomh Seosamh) is a senior boys’ primary school situated on Marino Park Avenue, Dublin. It caters for pupils from 2nd to 6th class (approximately 7‑12 years) and runs three specialised Outreach classes for children on the autism spectrum. The school follows a child‑centred programme that promotes holistic development, equality of access and participation, and a strong partnership with families and the local community. A dedicated Home‑School Community Liaison ensures effective communication, while the Aladdin Connect app is used for sharing information and documents with parents. The school offers a broad curriculum complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities, including GAA, soccer, horse‑riding, art projects and outdoor adventures. Facilities include sensory rooms, well‑equipped classrooms, a school restaurant that provides free, nutritious meals, and shared campus resources with Coláiste Iosaif Secondary School, guaranteeing automatic progression to the secondary level. St Joseph’s works closely with neighbouring St Mary’s Primary School, creating a seamless transition for boys moving from junior infants to 2nd class.
History
A school has stood on the site since 1888 when the Christian Brothers opened St Joseph’s as a practising school for trainee teachers. The first stone was laid on 11 November 1887 by Fr Scully, S.J. Initially a single‑storey building with three rooms, it expanded in 1901 with a science room for secondary pupils and added a second storey in 1906/07. By 1909 the school housed both primary and secondary departments, a library of 600 books and eight teachers. Known originally as St Joseph’s Marino, it was renamed St Joseph’s, Fairview in 1940 to distinguish it from the new St Joseph’s Missionary College. Over the decades the school has grown alongside the Fairview/Marino community while retaining its Edmund Rice ethos.