Kilcornan National School
Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 174 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 88 girls, 86 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17871D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilcornan National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Kilcornan, Pallaskenry, County Limerick. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while respecting the religious diversity of its community, aiming to nurture the wellbeing of every child. Its mission centres on creating a caring environment that supports academic achievement alongside the development of social, personal, sporting, artistic and musical talents. The campus combines the original 1953 building with later extensions, including a double prefabricated unit added in the 1970s and two new classrooms created during extensive renovations in the early 1990s. These facilities provide spacious classrooms, dedicated areas for arts and crafts, music and drama, and ample outdoor space for sport and recreation. A vibrant extracurricular programme offers activities such as sport, dance, drama, music, arts & crafts and a student council, encouraging pupils to explore interests beyond the core curriculum. The school places a strong emphasis on community involvement, with regular news updates, events and a transparent enrolment process. Parents are kept informed through newsletters and a school calendar, reinforcing the partnership between home and school in supporting each child’s holistic development.
History
The origins of Kilcornan National School date back to 1828 when the newly completed St John the Baptist church led to the conversion of the old stone chapel in Stonehall into a schoolhouse. After the thatched roof was destroyed in the “Night of the Big Wind” of 1839, a purpose‑built stone school was erected in 1841 on land donated by Sir Aubrey de Vere; it housed two classrooms and operated with a modest fee structure. In March 1940 Fr D. Fitzgerald secured a new site for the present school, and construction began in 1950, culminating in the opening and blessing of the new building in September 1953. Subsequent developments included a double prefabricated unit in the 1970s and extensive renovations in the early 1990s that added two further classrooms. Over the decades the school has been led by a succession of principals, guiding its growth while maintaining its community‑focused ethos.
Applying to Kilcornan 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 Kilcornan 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 Kilcornan National School
How many pupils attend Kilcornan National School?
Kilcornan National School has 174 pupils enrolled, 88 girls and 86 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilcornan National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilcornan 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 Kilcornan National School?
Kilcornan National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.