This Community school & subsequent 76 others opened since 1972, was established by the State after considerable discussion, with a view to integrating the traditional academic / classical approach of the secondary schools with that of the vocational / industrial tradition of the Vocational Education Committees. Children of a specific community would be expected to attend thus providing a ‘comprehensive system of post-primary education open to all the children of the community, combining instruction in academic and practical subjects and ongoing education for persons living at or near aforesaid and generally for the purpose of contributing towards the spiritual, moral, mental and physical well-being and development of the said community ... ‘

Coolmine caters for close on 1100 day-pupils aged 11+ to 18+ years. They take the State examinations at Junior and Leaving certificate levels. Day-pupils undertake an Exploratory Programme of studies during their first year and upon entering their second year, take a compulsory Core Curriculum of English, Gaeilge / Irish, Mathematics, History & Geography, Social Civic & Political Education, Social personal & Health Education, Physical Education, Information Technology and Religious Education [except in this later case where families opt out ]. Depending upon overall ability, pupils will choose five or six additional subjects from among the following : German, Materials Technology [wood], French, Science, Materials Technology [metal], Art, Music, Technical graphics, Typing, Business studies.

Pupils proceeding to study for their Leaving Certificate take English and Gaeilge plus five options from among the following: Mathematics [which virtually all Irish pupils see as obligatory ], Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Construction studies, German, Italian, Music, Art/Crafts/Design, Technical Drawing, Accountancy, Business Organisation, Economics, French. Religious Education & Physical Education are also taken.

Since its establishment, Coolmine would have provided a wide range of programmes, some at University level, for adults. These would be offered during the week-days, night-time and weekends with enrolments currently running at 2000 approximately.

Recreational, Sport & Leisure activities are facilitated by the 25m indoor heated swimming pool, sports hall, fully equipped keep-fit gymnasium, function rooms, Jacuzzi, steam room and saunas. All aspects of the non day-time usage is administered by a separate Staff.

Scoil Phobail Chuil Mhin [ anglicised and native versions are used ] is part of Clonsilla whose name derives from Cluain Saileach or willow meadow in Fingal, Co. Dublin. This historic area claims the home of Fionn Mac Cumhail the famous Taoiseach of the Na Fianna. Nearby are traces of that period. Indeed, the famous battle of Cnucha was fought here in 234 AD. St Mochta, who was one of Patrick’s disciples, founded a school in this area. A monastic foundation existed in Cuil Min /Coolmine [ a quiet nook ] from the 10th century until the 14th. Fingal or Fionn Gaill or fair foreigners dates back to the arrival of the Vikings. Conchubhar, the last High King of Ireland endeavoured to head off the advance of the Normans as they moved from the South East from 1172 AD. One of the first Norman castles / holdings is still recalled by demesne ‘Luttrellstown’. King Bruce of Scotland landed here also. The most important medieval castle in this area was sited at Castleknock which borders Cluain Saileach. Within the PALE until the foundation of the Republic, this quiet hamlet is now part of Dublin 15, a new suburb soon to reach a population of 70,000 inhabitants.