Rathdown School

Did you know that Rathdown School wasn’t always a co-educational school? It was founded in 1973. It was, for a long time, an all-girls school. Rathdown School is an independent school for day and boarding students up to the age of eighteen. It’s located in a beautiful setting on Glenageary Road on the edge of Dublin. It’s one of the most prestigious schools in Ireland. Rathdown School proudly boasts an impressive history. The school was actually formed from four existing schools: The Hall, Hillcourt, Park House, and Glengara Park. Each of these schools became known as a house in the new school, with names like ‘Hall House’ and ‘Hillcourt House’ In the early 20th century, Glenageary was where a young Wilfred P. Tonne, in 1922, founded Hillcourt School. The school became a boarding school for girls. He named the school after Hillcourt, the house where he lived. The Hall was a large, imposing building which became a school for girls in 1872. It was one of the first schools to introduce judo and fencing for girls. One of the school’s most famous students was Jennifer Johnston, who later grew up to be a well-known novelist. In 1932, Lilian Mary Rouviere Fayle founded Park House in Donnybrook, a suburb of Dublin. It was a mixed school and it was a preparatory school for Sandford Park. In 1973, Park House and The Hall merged to form ‘Park Hall’. You can see the beautiful, historic grounds of Rathdown School spread over 16 acres, just 12 kilometres from Dublin City Centre, behind the school gates. It stands as a testament to its rich history and distinguished alumni but don’t forget that Rathdown School remains a place of constant evolution. It was in 2022 when the school made the innovative choice to become co-educational and it has continued to grow ever since, today welcoming both boys and girls alike. It’s a school that’s known for its commitment to academic achievement as well as the arts and sports. Rathdown School is a true gem of education in Dublin. It’s a testament to the best of Irish education. So we’ll leave Rathdown School behind us now. The story of this school is full of fascinating details about its founders and students, it’s about the unique spirit of education that it cultivates. But it’s ultimately a story about learning.