Holy Well National School
Carrigaline, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 803 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 399 girls, 404 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20550A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Well National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school situated in Carrigaline. Officially opened in September 2020, the school was created through the amalgamation of St John’s GNS and Scoil Mhuire Lourdes BNS, bringing together two long‑standing community institutions. The school provides a holistic learning environment for children aged 4‑12, emphasising academic rigour alongside the development of social and emotional skills. Guided by the motto *Meas agus Moladh* (“Respect and Praise”), Holy Well NS seeks to nurture each pupil’s individuality, encouraging them to reach their full potential in a safe, inclusive and supportive setting. The curriculum is complemented by a range of extracurricular programmes, including the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Green Schools initiatives and an active school flag system that recognises achievements in areas such as sustainability and community involvement. Facilities are designed to support modern teaching methods and include well‑equipped classrooms, dedicated spaces for creative and physical activities, and provisions for safe drop‑off and car‑park access. The school’s ethos centres on creating a vibrant, welcoming centre of learning where families feel valued and engaged in the educational journey.
History
Holy Well National School opened its doors in September 2020 as a Catholic amalgamation of St John’s GNS and Scoil Mhuire Lourdes BNS. The merger united two schools with deep‑rooted traditions in the Carrigaline community, allowing the new institution to build on their long history of high educational standards while forging its own identity and legacy.
Applying to Holy Well 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 Holy Well 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 Holy Well National School
How many pupils attend Holy Well National School?
Holy Well National School has 803 pupils enrolled, 399 girls and 404 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Well National School a DEIS school?
No. Holy Well 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 Holy Well National School?
Holy Well National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.