Dunderrow National School
Kinsale, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 175 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 89 girls, 86 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16940O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dunderrow National School is a modern, purpose‑built primary school set on a two‑acre landscaped site in Leighmoneymore. The campus boasts two all‑weather playgrounds, a safe room, and a range of specialised learning spaces including a sensory room, resource room, two learning‑support rooms, a purpose room and a dedicated autism classroom. With nine permanent classrooms, a staff room and a well‑equipped PE store, the school provides a secure and stimulating environment for its pupils. The school’s educational philosophy centres on holistic development, aiming to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each child. An inclusive ethos is reinforced through equal‑opportunity policies, a strong focus on confidence‑building, self‑esteem and personal growth, and a vibrant student council that gives pupils a voice in school life. A blend of traditional teaching and contemporary resources, supported by a committed team of teachers and special‑needs assistants, ensures that literacy, numeracy and broader life skills are nurtured in a caring, happy atmosphere.
History
The first national school in Dunderrow was erected in 1841 as a single‑room building at the Doon. A two‑room school followed at Horsehill More in 1933, with a prefabricated classroom added in 1980. By 1996 enrolment had reached 100 pupils, prompting plans for a new facility. The current school opened in 2000 on a two‑acre site with four mainstream permanent classrooms. Extensions in 2007 increased capacity to eight classrooms, a further addition in 2014 added another classroom and a learning‑support room, and a modular autism classroom was introduced in 2022. Today the school comprises nine permanent classrooms, multiple support rooms and extensive outdoor facilities.
Applying to Dunderrow 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 Dunderrow 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 Dunderrow National School
How many pupils attend Dunderrow National School?
Dunderrow National School has 175 pupils enrolled, 89 girls and 86 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dunderrow National School a DEIS school?
No. Dunderrow 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 Dunderrow National School?
Dunderrow National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.