Derrinacahara National School
Dunmanway, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 80 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 36 girls, 44 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13543M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Derrinacahara National School is a co‑educational primary school situated at the foot of Cnoc na n‑Abhann (Nowen Hill) in Derrinacahara, Dunmanway, Co. Cork. With a team of five teachers, the school welcomes children from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. The curriculum is designed to be both rigorous and engaging, covering reading readiness, science, mathematics, languages, music and the arts, while also placing a strong emphasis on literacy through a paired‑reading scheme, reading‑buddies programme and regular visits from a mobile library bus. Learning at Derrinacahara is highly interactive, encouraging hands‑on experiences such as maths problem‑solving workshops, Lego sessions and visits to a life‑time laboratory. Practical subjects like cookery, drama and crafts are integrated to cater for diverse learning styles. The school promotes an active lifestyle through a comprehensive physical‑education programme that includes aquatics, athletics, gymnastics, dance and outdoor adventure activities, supported by dedicated play areas and outdoor facilities. A core aim is to develop 21st‑century skills, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and communication, so that each pupil can discover and develop their individual talents in a nurturing, play‑based setting. Classes are organised into Junior & Senior Infants (ages 4‑6), 1st‑3rd Class (ages 7‑9) and 4th‑6th Class (ages 10‑12).
Applying to Derrinacahara 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Derrinacahara 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 Derrinacahara National School
How many pupils attend Derrinacahara National School?
Derrinacahara National School has 80 pupils enrolled, 36 girls and 44 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Derrinacahara National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Derrinacahara National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Derrinacahara National School?
Derrinacahara National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.