Kinsale Community School
Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,450 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 717 girls, 733 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91499E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kinsale Community School is a non‑selective secondary school serving the coastal and rural communities of County Cork, with an enrolment of approximately 1,478 pupils. The school delivers a broad, balanced curriculum that blends academic and practical subjects, aiming to develop each learner’s intellectual, moral, spiritual, social, cultural and physical potential. A strong emphasis is placed on STEM, highlighted by over 100 awards at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition since 2002, a record‑breaking VEX robotics programme and its status as a Microsoft Showcase School, where blended learning through Microsoft Teams and OneNote enhances classroom interaction and assessment. The campus is undergoing a €10 million modernisation, creating state‑of‑the‑art learning spaces, specialist laboratories, and facilities for sport and the arts. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, ranging from Gaelic football and volleyball to music, drama, camera club and the nationally recognised Junk Kouture competition. A robust pastoral and guidance framework, together with a dedicated Resource and Learning Support Department, ensures that students with special educational needs receive tailored support in a safe, caring environment. Kinsale Community School’s ethos is encapsulated in its motto “Omnes Communiter Discendo” – “All together in learning”. The school cultivates a culture of cooperation, respect and personal responsibility, underpinned by a clear code of discipline and an active Parents Association that contributes to school governance. This holistic approach prepares students to become confident, responsible adults equipped for further education, employment and active citizenship.
History
Kinsale Community School officially opened on 1 August 1996 following the amalgamation of Our Lady of the Rosary Secondary School and Kinsale Vocational School. Since its inception the school has experienced thirty years of sustained growth and continuous improvement, expanding its facilities and academic provision to become a leading non‑selective institution in the region.
Applying to Kinsale Community 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Kinsale Community 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Kinsale Community School
How many pupils attend Kinsale Community School?
Kinsale Community School has 1,450 pupils enrolled, 717 girls and 733 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Kinsale Community School a DEIS school?
No. Kinsale Community 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 Kinsale Community School?
Kinsale Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.