St Mary's & St Gerard's National School
School Details
Location
About
St Mary’s & St Gerard’s National School, Enniskerry, operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and is a fully‑owned Catholic primary school. Its ethos is centred on the holistic development of each pupil, aiming to nurture intellectual, physical, social, personal, spiritual, moral and aesthetic growth. The school strives to achieve this within a climate of mutual respect and positive co‑operation, drawing on the support of the wider community – pupils, parents, staff, the Board of Management, the Department of Education and Skills and the Parents Association. A broad programme of extracurricular activities complements the curriculum, including after‑school clubs such as the Lego Club, Maths Week, the Green School Flag ceremony, the BLAST initiative, dance projects and community games. Regular events such as Grandparents’ Day, school‑wide activities and a well‑maintained school calendar foster strong family and community links. The school also provides clear guidance on uniform and offers a range of resources for parents, reinforcing a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
History
The school occupies the historic School House opposite Enniskerry’s Clock Tower, which was constructed in 1818 and originally served as the local Church of Ireland National School. The building remained in educational use for many decades, with the nearby ‘Ferndale’ house (c. 1850) providing accommodation for the schoolmaster. Over the years the school has been part of the village’s rich heritage, alongside landmarks such as Powerscourt House (1741), the Clock Tower (1843) and St Mary’s Catholic Church (1859). While the exact date of the present St Mary’s & St Gerard’s National School’s establishment is not specified, its roots lie in this long‑standing tradition of local education.