Kilcredan National School
Ladysbridge, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 325 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 158 girls, 167 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19351K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kilcredan National School is a rural primary school serving the parishes of Ladysbridge and Ballymacoda under the patronage of the Bishop of Cloyne. With an enrolment of close to three hundred pupils, the school provides twelve mainstream classes together with a dedicated special class for children diagnosed with autism. The curriculum follows the full Irish primary programme and is enriched by visiting specialists who deliver safe‑cycling courses, speech and drama sessions and a range of extracurricular activities such as Sciath na Scol, hurling, football, camogie, gymnastics and choir. An active parents’ association supports a vibrant community life and helps organise events and fundraising initiatives. The school benefitted from a major refurbishment in 2014, adding six new classrooms, specialised education rooms, a GP‑hall, a new basketball court and an expanded car park, while the original building was fully modernised. Its location gives easy access to the Ahavine community field, which boasts two full‑size GAA pitches, an astro‑turf pitch, a children’s playground and a walking track. These facilities are used for regular sports fixtures and the annual four‑mile race fundraiser. Proximity to the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School enables a unique two‑day culinary experience for the senior class, and nearby sandy beaches and the Knockadoon cliff walk provide additional outdoor learning opportunities.
History
Education in the townland of Kilcredan dates back to 1826, when two schools were recorded serving boys and girls. A single school remained by 1853, and in 1887 the original Kilcredan National School was built – a substantial two‑room limestone building. The school’s early life featured popular games such as hurling, rounders and “hunter”, and annual sports and tours, including trips to Cork city. From the late 1800s to the 1960s the parish operated three schools. In the late 1960s, Department of Education policy encouraged amalgamation; Fr Tom Gallagher proposed a new site in Ballymacoda, incorporating children from Kilcredan, Kilmacdonagh and Ladysbridge. The current school opened in May 1972 with seven classrooms, central heating, indoor toilets and a large play area. Subsequent developments included a volunteer‑built shelter in 1985, prefabricated classrooms in the early 2000s, and a major fundraising campaign in 2006 that secured an additional acre of land and further facilities.
Applying to Kilcredan 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 Kilcredan 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 Kilcredan National School
How many pupils attend Kilcredan National School?
Kilcredan National School has 325 pupils enrolled, 158 girls and 167 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kilcredan National School a DEIS school?
No. Kilcredan 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 Kilcredan National School?
Kilcredan National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.