Named after Bishop Edward Galvin, a pioneering missionary and co-founder of the Columban Fathers, the school honours his legacy through service, inclusion, and a global outlook — values that continue to shape every pupil’s journey here.
Founded during a time of rapid population growth, the school was established on five acres of land donated by the Columban Fathers to St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Willington — a remarkable gift then valued at £140,000. The original plan, championed by Very Rev. Paul Boland, was clear: ‘first a school, then a community hall, then a church’. The school was designed to serve 600 pupils, and by the late 1970s, enrolment numbers and enthusiasm made that a reality. In 1979, Bishop Shanahan NS opened nearby, and the two schools have shared a cooperative and creative relationship ever since.
Guided by Leadership and Ethos
Since its founding, Bishop Galvin NS has been led by four principals, each contributing to the growth of the school’s culture and curriculum:
- Seán Healy (1975–1994)
- Jimmy O’Dwyer (1994–2006)
- Eamonn Treacy (2006–2016)
- Kathryn Corbett (2016–present)
Today, the school supports over 450 pupils with a committed staff of 41 teachers and SNAs, supported by a dedicated secretary, caretaker, Parents Association and Board of
Management. Bishop Galvin NS has embraced a restorative ethos — focusing on pupil voice, mutual respect, and resolving conflict through understanding. Pupils are active collaborators in their own learning, and the school cultivates resilience, critical thinking, and compassion in every child.
A Culture of Creativity, Character and Connection
At the heart of Bishop Galvin NS is a vibrant and inclusive school culture that celebrates the talents of every child and values the moments when the whole community comes together. Over the years, the school has hosted a wide range of cherished events and traditions, including School Musicals and Variety Shows, Whole School Singing, Carol Services, Seachtain na Gaeilge performances, Tráth na gCéist, Úbuntu Week, Christmas Raffles, Daffodil Days, Christmas Shoebox Appeals, 6th Class Graduations with their beloved hoodies, Halloween parades, Book Weeks, Grandparents’ Days, Sports Days, Cake Sales, Active Weeks, Green School initiatives, World Book Day celebrations, Science Week activities, Confirmation, and the annual visits from storyteller Niall de Búrca – a day always looked to. These traditions enrich the life of the school and ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and create lasting memories.
Music has always held a special place in the life of Bishop Galvin NS, woven into the fabric of the school’s identity and celebrated across generations. From whole-school singing that filled the hall with harmony to lively class performances during Seachtain na Gaeilge, music has served as a joyful expression of community and creativity. Over the years, the school has staged countless musicals and variety shows, giving every pupil the opportunity to experience the thrill of performance, often remembered fondly long after they have left. Carol Services mark the Christmas season on the day of the holidays and are always a highlight of the school year. Each year, our choir participates in our Confirmation services and add to the occasion beautifully with their amazing voices and arrangements. The school has proudly participated for the first time in the National Children’s Choir in 2025. Whether through rehearsals, stage shows, or spontaneous song, music remains a powerful force for unity, confidence, and joy in the everyday rhythm of life at Bishop Galvin NS.
A Resilient School Community
The Covid-19 pandemic marked a unique and testing time in the school’s history. Like schools everywhere, Bishop Galvin NS adapted to remote learning, social distancing, and ever-changing conditions. Yet what emerged was a testament to its enduring spirit: staff, parents, and pupils worked together to keep connection, compassion, and learning alive. To mark this period, pupils created a powerful publication titled “Safe at Home”, filled with their own illustrations and reflections — a tribute to their courage, humour, and heart in the face of adversity.
Traditions That Bind Generations
Sport has long played an integral role in the life of Bishop Galvin NS, shaping school identity and strengthening bonds both within the school and across the wider community. Since the late 1970s, the school has been proudly involved in Cumann na mBunscol, fostering strong connections with local GAA clubs and Dublin’s sporting scene.
Trips to Croke Park have become a near-annual tradition, whether to compete or to cheer on school teams in finals. The chant of ‘BGNS, BGNS THE BEST’ has been passed on from generation to generation in the stands in Croke Park. Pupils also take part each year in Santry athletics and Cross Country events, demonstrating commitment, resilience, and team spirit. Beyond Gaelic Games, the school’s involvement spans FAI 5-a-side and 11-a-side soccer competitions, basketball tournaments, and chess tournaments with neighbouring schools, offering diverse opportunities for participation and achievement.
Among the most anticipated in-house events are the Mr. B International, the annual match against Bishop Shanahan NS in honour of former staff member Seán Breheny, and the Seán Healy Cup, a spirited 6th Class competition named after the school’s founding principal. These events are more than just games — they are moments of pride, friendship, and celebration that unite the entire school community year after year. In the years after the pupils depart the school we continue to celebrate in their achievements and have welcomed back All-Ireland winners, All-Star successes, League of Ireland champions, Olympians, Dublin stars and celebrated athletes and many a great cup, trophy, medal and award has graced the stage in the BGNS hall.
Facilities That Support Growth
From its earliest days, Bishop Galvin NS has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its pupils, staff, and community. When the school opened in 1975, it consisted of 12 classrooms, a PE hall, and several support rooms — modest, functional spaces that came alive with the energy of a young and growing school population. Teaching in those early years was carried out with blackboards and chalk, in classes that often exceeded 50 pupils, yet the atmosphere was one of enthusiasm, collaboration, and care.
If the classrooms were the heart of the teaching and learning, the school hall has in the 50 years enjoyed the collective energy and spirit of the school. In the school’s earliest years it was used in the evenings for public meetings in the absence of a local community hall. The brown floor will be a place fresh in the memory of past pupils and parents alike. Over the years it has served many the PE lesson or lunch time training, many a musical and variety show with the pupils taking to the stage. Over the decades it has welcome parents to celebrate these whole school events and for many too it served as the hub for that glorious of days in the school calendar – the Cake Sale.
The 1980s marked the beginning of the school’s embrace of technology, with the first computers arriving into classrooms by mid-decade. In the late 1980s, a new semi- permanent structure — affectionately known as “the Prefab” — was added, housing four additional classrooms and a library that served the school community for nearly two decades. The school’s commitment to digital learning deepened with the opening of a purpose-built Computer Room in 1994, which was extended and updated in 2016 to accommodate new teaching methodologies and further equipment, including banks of Chromebooks, shared trolleys, and connected learning platforms followed in the years after. The arrival of Activ Panels has transformed classroom teaching into interactive, pupil-led experiences, marking a far cry from the chalk and blackboard days.
For many years, the Cookery Room was a beloved feature of the school, where pupils had the opportunity to learn basic culinary skills, from measuring and mixing to baking and teamwork. Up until 2014, it provided valuable hands-on experiences that blended practical learning with life skills. Similarly, the kiln in the Art Room, used to glaze and fire pottery pieces, allowed pupils to explore clay work and sculpture in a meaningful and tactile way. Many a hand-crafted bowl, vase, or figurine made its way home as a proud creation, representing both artistic achievement and the school’s long-standing commitment to creativity.
Major transformation came again in 2016, when construction began on a new two-storey extension, completed in 2018. This state-of-the-art development added eight new classrooms and six support rooms, and formally linked the school with Bishop Shanahan NS. Internally, the school continued to adapt, with the opening of its Autism Class in 2020 — a significant milestone in its inclusive education journey. This provision has since been expanded, supported by thoughtfully designed sensory-friendly environments. The creation of ‘Cloud 9’, a quiet outdoor space as well as outdoor gardens, offers a place for reflection, calm, and alternative learning — a true embodiment of the school’s wellbeing-centred ethos.
Outside, the school grounds have seen continuous enhancement. In 1997, rising security needs led to the erection of boundary railings around the shared campus. In 2005, the pupils came together to plant daffodil bulbs, which have since returned each spring as golden reminders of growth, optimism, and care. One of the school’s original two fields was lost to housing development, but the remaining space was transformed into a showcase facility. In 2018 and 2019, a new track and state-of-the-art sports field was completed, offering children new opportunities to engage in outdoor PE, team games, and recreational activity.
The school’s playgrounds have also developed significantly, now featuring basketball rings, and outdoor seating. The Game On! Initiative, led by 6th Class Playground Leaders, adds structure and fun to break times, especially for 3rd to 5th Class pupils. Promoting sustainability and active transport, bike sheds were installed in 2021, encouraging pupils to cycle to school and reinforcing healthy lifestyle habits. Along the way, the pupils- their learning, their wellbeing, their movement, and their voice — are at the heart of every decision. Whether in a quiet garden, a busy sports field, a tech-filled classroom, or a reflective outdoor space, Bishop Galvin NS continues to provide a space where every child can learn, thrive, and belong.
School Uniform
The school uniform at Bishop Galvin NS has evolved over the decades, reflecting changing styles while maintaining a strong sense of identity and belonging. In its earliest years, pupils wore a maroon uniform, which remained a familiar sight in the classrooms and corridors through the 1980s. This later gave way to the now well-recognised combination of navy and blue, a practical and modern colour scheme that has become part of the school’s visual identity. The introduction of a school tracksuit in the 1990s added comfort and flexibility to school life, especially for physical activity, and this too was refreshed with a redesign in 2020, ensuring pupils wear their uniform with pride in both function and form. From 2025, the focus of the uniform is to reflect the importance of physical activity as part of the school day.
The School Crest: A Symbol of Identity and Inspiration
The Bishop Galvin NS crest is a rich symbol of the school’s history, values, and mission, thoughtfully designed by former teacher and Deputy Principal Richard Delaney. Each element of the crest reflects both the life of the school and the ideals of Bishop Galvin himself.
At its centre is the dragon, representing China and Bishop Galvin’s missionary work there. The staff, held by the dragon, symbolises the Bishop’s authority, while the flame rising from its grasp stands for the flame of knowledge, signifying the lifelong pursuit of learning and understanding that defines the work of the school.
Behind the dragon, the Rising Sun evokes “The Far East” and symbolises the continuing mission of the Columban Fathers. The hills, representing the Dublin Mountains as viewed from the school playground, root the crest firmly in the local landscape.
