Dreeny National School
Skibbereen, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 14 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 10 girls, 4 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18461M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dreeny National School is a small, vibrant primary school serving a close‑knit community of approximately 25 pupils. The school operates a two‑room model – a Junior Room and a Senior Room – each spacious, bright and equipped with interactive whiteboards, computers and well‑stocked libraries. Additional facilities include a dedicated resource room, a learning support room, an office, and a staff/kitchen area. The building was extensively renovated in 2010, resulting in a warm, colourful and airy environment that supports a child‑centred, interactive approach to learning. A well‑maintained pitch, created by local parents in the 1970s, provides ample space for a range of sports, including hurling, football, rugby and gymnastics, and serves as a focal point for the school’s annual Sciath na Scol competition. The school’s ethos centres on making learning fun and collaborative, encouraging pupils to discover and develop their unique talents while fostering a positive attitude towards education. Environmental stewardship is a core value; Dreeny holds a Litter & Waste Management flag and actively promotes recycling and responsible waste disposal. It also maintains Active School status and has achieved Amber Flag recognition for mental‑health awareness. Recent initiatives aim to enhance digital literacy, with new iPads, laptops and plans to integrate more technology into everyday teaching.
History
The school’s premises underwent a major renovation in 2010, modernising the facilities while retaining the historic pitch that was excavated by parents in the 1970s. No further historical details are provided on the website.
Applying to Dreeny 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 Dreeny 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 Dreeny National School
How many pupils attend Dreeny National School?
Dreeny National School has 14 pupils enrolled, 10 girls and 4 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dreeny National School a DEIS school?
No. Dreeny 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 Dreeny National School?
Dreeny National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.