Accommodation information and FAQs
Accommodation information
Blackrock ETSS is currently temporarily located in the Cherrywood ETNS (primary school) building in Tully Park, Cherrywood, Dublin 18. Blackrock ETSS shares the school building with the primary school. Because the school's temporary accommodation is located outside of the school's catchment area, the Department has agreed to fund a school bus that will collect and drop off students at various stops in Dun Laoghaire, Booterstown and Blackrock.
Blackrock ETSS's permanent home will be on the site of Abilene House, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock. Planning permission was submitted by the Department in June 2021 for the construction of a 1,000 pupil school on the site and the planning documents can be viewed by clicking on the following link on the online planning section of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCOCO) website: https://planning.agileapplications.ie/dunlaoghaire/application-details/89858
Planning permission was granted by DLRCOCO (in June 2022) and An Bord Pleanála (in October 2023). Building will commence once the Department of Education has completed the tendering process. The tendering process has not commenced yet (as of August 2024).
The Department of Education has confirmed that the school will remain at its temporary location in Cherrywood for the school years 2024/25, 2025/26, and 2026/27.
If you require any more information about the school's location or bus service, please do not hesitate to contact our office at office@blackrocketss.ie
FAQs - frequently asked questions about the temporary accommodation for 2024/25
1. Where is the school going to be located in 2024/25?
The school will be located in Cherrywood ETNS which is a brand new school near Loughlinstown.
2. How will students get to Cherrywood?
The Department will continue to fund the school bus. The Luas and Dublin bus stops near the school too.
3. How will subjects like Science and Woodwork be taught in primary classrooms?
The ordinary classrooms are spacious and more than adequate for our needs. In relation to specialist classrooms, the Department is committed to providing specialist rooms for Science, Woodwork, etc.
4. Where will you do the sports in the new school?
There is an excellent PE hall in the school that we will use. There are grass pitches and an all weather pitches nearby that we will use too (all a few minutes walking distance from the school). There’s a park a five minute walk away with basketball courts and tennis courts that we’d hope to use too. The same sports will be played in the new school building (Gaelic, soccer, basketball, etc).
5. When will the new permanent school be ready on Newtownpark Avenue in Blackrock?
Planning permission was granted by DLRCOCO (in 2022) and An Bord Pleanála (in 2023). Building will commence once the Department of Education has completed the tendering process. The tendering process has not commenced yet. That will probably take about a year. So realistically, the new building is a few years away yet.
6. How long will you be in Cherrywood?
The Department has confirmed that Blackrock ETSS will be located in Cherrywood for the next three years.
7. Will there be a canteen in Cherrywood ETNS?
No there is no canteen facility in Cherrywood ETNS. Blackrock ETSS students will continue to bring a packed lunch.
8. When will you have more information about the move?
All of the information at our disposal has been provided to parents and the other stakeholders in our school community. We will continue to update parents throughout the school year when the Department provides more information. If parents have any other questions, they can contact the school office by phone or email (01 9120440;office@blackrocketss.ie).