St Raphaelas National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Raphaela’s National School is a Catholic primary school situated on a spacious, green campus in Stillorgan, off Upper Kilmacud Road. The school shares its grounds with St. Raphaela’s Secondary School and the Convent, providing pupils with access to extensive outdoor areas, a newly resurfaced hockey pitch with direct entry to Clonmore Public Park, and dedicated sport facilities such as the Badminton Hall. The environment is designed to nurture learning in a supportive, faith‑informed setting while welcoming children of all faiths and none. The educational ethos centres on “nurturing minds to think, hands to create and hearts to love”, emphasising the development of the whole child. Academic achievement is balanced with creativity, confidence, and social responsibility, reflected in a broad programme that includes Gaelic, camogie, hockey, science competitions, chess, and digital distinction. Regular assemblies celebrate individual talents and communal values, and the school’s liturgical calendar integrates the sacraments and religious celebrations, fostering a sense of belonging and respect for diverse backgrounds.
History
St. Raphaela’s campus comprises two historic houses: Wesbury (the Convent building) and Clonmore (the residence). Wesbury was constructed in the 1750s with a front extension added in the 1830s and was home to families such as the Wilsons, Devlins and the Pilkingtons, the latter giving the house its name and leaving stained‑glass and a coat of arms. A hidden staircase leads to a rooftop lookout once used to view Dublin Bay. The property passed to the Devlin family before being acquired by the Daughters of Charity in the 1930s. In 1932 the site covered 93 acres, including 43 acres of farmland, and the Daughters established St Philomena’s home for children. Between 1940 and 1948 dormitories and school rooms were added, linking Wesbury and Clonmore and forming the present primary school. A church built in 1952 later became the Badminton Hall, now used for sports and whole‑school events.