Leamlara Mixed National School
Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 136 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 78 girls, 58 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 04118T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Bishop Ahern National School is a mixed, Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in Leamlara, East Cork, catering for a growing community of around 163 pupils. The school delivers a holistic curriculum that seeks the full intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual development of each child, while welcoming families of all faiths and backgrounds. Contemporary teaching methodologies such as Aistear, station teaching in English and maths, team teaching and the Irish‑language programme *Mata sa Rang* are embedded in daily practice, and a strong emphasis is placed on inclusive education through dedicated learning‑support and resource rooms. The campus features bright, spacious classrooms equipped with class libraries, interactive whiteboards and internet access. A large multipurpose hall supports physical education, dance, drama and assemblies, while well‑maintained yards and a pitch provide safe, child‑centred outdoor play areas. All pupils from second to sixth class take part in swimming lessons each year, and the school actively participates in GAA competitions, having earned the *Gradam Gaisce* flag for its promotion of sport. As a Green School, the community is working towards a second green flag, reflecting its commitment to environmental stewardship.
History
Leamlara Old School was erected in 1847 as part of the Famine Relief scheme and operated until 1967. Adjacent to it, the Teacher’s House was built in 1905 for the principal teacher. When the original school closed, a prefabricated building was erected on the present site in 1967, providing indoor toilets and two classrooms. In 1987 the new Bishop Ahern National School was constructed above the prefab location, officially opening in 1988 with 96 pupils. Subsequent extensions added a fifth classroom and assembly hall in 2010, two resource rooms in 2013, a sixth classroom in 2015, and a sensory room, kitchen and seventh classroom in 2019. By 2022 the roll had risen to 163 pupils, and as of September 2024 the school employs 21 staff members, including seven mainstream teachers and a dedicated inclusion team.
Applying to Leamlara Mixed 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 Leamlara Mixed 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 Leamlara Mixed National School
How many pupils attend Leamlara Mixed National School?
Leamlara Mixed National School has 136 pupils enrolled, 78 girls and 58 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Leamlara Mixed National School a DEIS school?
No. Leamlara Mixed 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 Leamlara Mixed National School?
Leamlara Mixed National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.