Little Island National School
Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 141 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 72 girls, 69 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18497K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Little Island National School is a mixed primary school situated on the banks of Cork Harbour, just east of Cork City. It serves a vibrant community of over 140 pupils, offering a supportive environment that blends traditional values with modern educational resources. The school benefits from high‑speed broadband connectivity provided through the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, enabling seamless integration of digital learning tools and remote education when required. The campus has evolved considerably since its opening in 1961. Recent developments include the addition of new classrooms (Rooms 8, 10, 11, 1 and 2), a dedicated staffroom, a link corridor, and upgraded heating and insulation systems. A generous land donation from a local industry partner allowed the expansion of the school yard and the enhancement of pitch facilities, providing ample outdoor space for sport and recreation. These facilities, together with a virtual tour video and an active online presence, showcase the school’s commitment to creating a safe, engaging, and forward‑looking learning environment for all children.
History
Education on Little Island dates back to before the Great Famine, with a National School first opening at Island Cross in 1881. The original building housed separate boys’ and girls’ classrooms and featured a divided schoolyard. In 1961 the present school building was erected in the townland of Ballyverry, replacing the earlier site. Over the decades the school has expanded: a new classroom was added in 2010, followed by a substantial extension in 2011 that introduced two additional classrooms, a staffroom and a link corridor, coinciding with the school’s 50‑year celebration on the site. Further enhancements included the construction of resource rooms in 2013 and 2014, and ongoing upgrades to heating, insulation and outdoor facilities. The school adapted to remote learning during the COVID‑19 closures in 2020‑2021, reflecting its resilience and commitment to continuity of education.
Applying to Little Island 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 Little Island 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 Little Island National School
How many pupils attend Little Island National School?
Little Island National School has 141 pupils enrolled, 72 girls and 69 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Little Island National School a DEIS school?
No. Little Island 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 Little Island National School?
Little Island National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.