Blackrock Boarding School Dublin
Overview
For over 100 years boarding has been an integral part of Blackrock. It has ensured that the College is a vital living breathing organism for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Situated in the historic Castle building, the boarding school will offer your son a warm, personalised experience in a vibrant, thriving community. While the majority of our boys are Irish, we are enriched by the presence of boys from all over the world.
Boarders, including the first Irish President, Éamon de Valera, are and always have been unique members of the Blackrock Community. Their experience of the College is by its very nature a very comprehensive one, and therefore traditionally the bond between the boarders and Blackrock has been particularly strong. The Hall of Residence (known as “The Castle”) provides a safe environment where boys aged 12-19 will have a caring, fulfilling experience which helps them to mature to their full potential.
The College’s multi-disciplinary curricular programme will engage and enthuse him and add colour to his daily routine. The Chapter system reinforces bonds between boys of different ages. Opportunities abound to be involved in sport, music, theatre, public speaking and social outreach.
The Castle seeks to support each boy to fulfil his dreams. Your son’s individual talents and interests will be fostered with many links to the surrounding community. As a boarding school in a city suburb, there are lots of options for recreational activities. However, the daily structured routine provides the foundation on which boys thrive and can reach for excellence.
In the Castle we cherish the concept of community. Your son will be one of some 90 boys. It is vital that he feels cherished, protected and important. The College’s slogan “Be Caring, Be There, Be Truthful, Be Grateful” is particularly relevant. A happy boarding facility depends on all members acting in the best interests of each other. Faith formation is the bedrock of all College activities and your son will be challenged to commit to Christian ideals. He will experience a faith programme organised by the Chaplain and built on the liturgical calendar. The boys learn to exercise good judgement and are prepared for a life of faith and commitment.
We include parents as a central hub of our community with weekly reporting and engagement in your son’s life. We become part of your extended family. Social events help parents to get to know each other and visits are always welcome. Excellent road, rail and bus links facilitate transport for parents and boys. A direct bus service to the airport is an advantage for international students.
The Castle is busy, vibrant and inclusive. Your son will flourish here; he will be happy, focused and committed, generous in spirit, giving of himself, conscious of the common good and the importance of community. He will develop bonds which will support him throughout his life.
Together we will watch over him growing up, experiencing a full, interesting and richly varied life, guiding him always to being the best he can be, providing him with the knowledge and strength of character to participate fully in modern society.
Enjoy the tour of our boarding school and if you feel we can fulfil your sons needs then do not hesitate to contact Ms. Sandi Dunphy (Registrar) by filling in the contact section here.
Information for Boarders
Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the EU. We have a well recognised Leaving Certificate exam, the results of which are transferrable within the EU, UK and USA.
Students in 2nd level education for 3 years qualify for EU University fees (in Ireland currently approx. €3K per annum, depending on the course). The majority of our students (day and boarding) go initially to University College Dublin (about 5 mins from the college) OR Trinity College Dublin (overseas boarders especially, ranked in top 200). Some of our graduates also attend University in the UK, USA, Holland, Spain, Germany.
Non EU boarders who have spent 3 years in Ireland MAY qualify for EU fees in EU universities following assessment. See the following link for more information: https://www.ucd.ie/students/fees/eufeeassessment.html
Blackrock College has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality education to students with quantifiable high academic standards.
We also offer a very interesting Transition Year (4th Year) programme of personal development which include; Pastoral Placements, Work Experience, Flexible Timetables, BCR Radio Station and Dragon’s Den, as well as extra modules in e.g. Cookery, Driver Education and Night Classes (e.g. Legal Studies, Chinese).
We have a population of 90 boarders and 15 staff, which gives a staff / boarder ratio of 1:6. This allows us to get to know our boys very well and creates an intimate, family atmosphere. 67% of our boys are Irish and the others come from over 22 different countries. The College has a population of 1,100 boys so boarders get the benefit of a small, close-knit boarding community with all the advantages of a big school; lots of extra-curricular activities, an unrivalled choice of over 20 subjects at Senior Cycle and lots of interesting classmates. Boarders and Day boys mix well together in their classes and after-school clubs. Many friendships are formed between boarders and dayboys which are facilitated by the structure of the school day and the Castle.
There are many well organised extra-curricular sporting activities at Blackrock College: Rugby, Basketball, Rowing, Senior Soccer, Tennis, Table-Tennis, Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Badminton, Squash, Water-Polo, Summer Tennis, Cricket, Golf and Sailing.
Other organised extra-curricular activities include: Orchestra, Jazz Band, Traditional group, Two Choirs, Junior & Senior Debating, Model United Nations (MUN), Senior & Junior Musicals, One Act Dramas, Science Club, Art Club, Chess Club and the Green Schools Committee.
Blackrock College benefits from having high quality facilities with more development planned. There are excellent transport links to the school via the DART and Dublin Bus. The school is only 45 mins from Dublin Airport on a direct bus link.
Information packs are sent out during the month of June. These contain calendar, uniform list, newsletter and information flyers. Any changes to the Halls of Residence programme or Code of Behaviour may be enclosed at this time.
Uniforms/sports kit can be ordered on-line through Uniformity – https://www.uniformity.ie/ and delivered to the College Secretariat, where they will be stored until boarding student arrives. Put Blackrock College as the delivery address.
| Uniform | Sports |
| 1 College blazer | I tracksuit |
| 1 Jumper ( Willow or Blackrock ) | 2 white shorts |
| 4 white shirts | 2 general shorts |
| 2 ties ( Boarders) | 1 School Rugby match jersey |
| 2 grey College trousers | 2 general Training jerseys |
| 1 pair black leather school shoes |
Uniformity also run a uniform shop in Blackrock College the week prior to the boys starting (this shop is only in the school for this one week). If you are arriving in Dublin a few days ahead of the 25th August, you could buy on line and collect them during the week prior, you could try them on and exchange anything that may need to be exchanged.
Book lists will be published on-line in June, and information where to purchase will be listed on these. These may be ordered on-line and delivered to the school. Click for our Book Lists Page.
Subject Choice forms will be issued in June (excludes 1st year) via email from the Registrar. You will be required to complete this and return them as per instruction.
We have a registration process on arrival in the Castle. New boarding students are requested to arrive at the Castle on Sunday, the day before the Academic School Term 1 starts, between 2.00pm-4.00pm. This is a good opportunity to meet other new parents and for the new students to meet each other. Allocation of Beds/Rooms will be given at this time.
Classes will officially begin on Monday, 29th August.
If you wish to meet with the Director of Boarding prior to school starting, he will be available in the last week of the summer holidays before the academic year starts. Appointments can be booked from June through the College Reception.
You can meet the Dean of your son’s Year Group during the last week of the summer holidays before the academic year starts. Appointments should be booked through Reception in early June on phone number +35312888681.
We would advise parents to return home on Sunday evening or Monday morning. You should have prepared your son well for his new experience and re-assure him that we will look after any needs he has after you leave. It is not a good idea to stay around to “help him settle in”. It simply lengthens the process of helping the boys to adapt to their new surroundings.
Blackrock College requires that all boys whose parents live overseas, irrespective of age, have a Guardian appointed for the duration of their enrolment who can act on behalf of the boy’s parents. Guardians are required to liaise with the student’s parents and the College and provide an additional level of support for the student whilst they are in Ireland.
A Guardian may be a family member, a family friend, a Guardianship agency, or other responsible Ireland-based adult authorised by the parent. It is the primary responsibility of the parents to appoint a Guardian and the selection of the appropriate person or organisation rests with the parents.
In order to assist in the process, Blackrock College provides details of agencies and individuals who act as Guardians, but we do not recommend any specific agency or individual. Parents must fully satisfy themselves as to the suitability of their chosen Guardian.
For International students, if there is a requirement for either a letter to get a PPS number or Visa/Embassy letter, please email the Castle Administrator with the details at ckennedy@blackrockcollege.com.
Apply for an Irish PPSN number at gov.ie: How to get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number
English language classes are provided on Saturday mornings by an external agency. The boys are prepared for the Cambridge exams at the appropriate level. This would be at an additional cost to the family. Details can be obtained from the Director of Boarding.
