Castlealack National School
Bandon, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 56 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 29 girls, 27 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 08972I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Castlelack National School is a rural Catholic primary school situated in the Innishannon parish, serving the catchment areas of Innishannon, Newcestown and Bandon, just four kilometres from the town of Bandon. The school prides itself on being an inclusive community where families of diverse faiths, traditions and nationalities work together in a respectful and caring environment. A strong emphasis is placed on the holistic development of each child, encouraging academic progress alongside personal, social and physical wellbeing. The school offers a broad range of facilities and programmes that support this holistic ethos. A recently opened school pitch and well‑maintained gardens provide outdoor learning and sport opportunities, while the Green Flag award recognises the school’s commitment to environmental education. Extra‑curricular activities include yoga, science experiments, gardening projects, athletics, tag‑rugby, soccer blitzes and visits from local organisations such as Gardaí and county council representatives, all designed to enrich the curriculum and foster community spirit. Strong parental involvement underpins school life, with an active parents’ association that supports events, fundraising and the maintenance of a warm, family‑like atmosphere. The school’s ethos is reflected in its dedication to healthy living, cultural celebrations and the promotion of Irish language and heritage.
Applying to Castlealack National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Castlealack National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Castlealack National School
How many pupils attend Castlealack National School?
Castlealack National School has 56 pupils enrolled, 29 girls and 27 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Castlealack National School a DEIS school?
No. Castlealack National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Castlealack National School?
Castlealack National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.