Mallow Con National School
Mallow, Cork
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 246 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 226 girls, 20 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16159D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Convent Primary School Mallow is a mainstream Catholic primary school that educates girls from First to Sixth class, while also providing five co‑educational special educational classes. These include three Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classes, a Moderate Learning class and an Early Intervention class, reflecting the school’s commitment to inclusive education and the holistic development of every pupil, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalised. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Mercy philosophy of education, which seeks to nurture each child’s full potential within a happy, secure learning environment. Facilities have been expanded over the decades and now comprise a multi‑purpose room, cooking and remedial rooms, a well‑stocked library, a safe room, and dedicated staff and principal offices. Outdoor spaces feature a small pool with goldfish, a bird table and flower plots, providing a colourful and stimulating setting for experiential learning.
History
The Sisters of Mercy opened a convent in Mallow on 13 October 1845, establishing the town’s first national school, the Mallow Convent School, a month later. Initially housed in a single stone‑built room, the school welcomed up to 300 pupils of all denominations and offered daily religious instruction. Early leadership included Eliza O’Connor, transferred from the former female national school. After declining a site at the Patrician Monastery, the Sisters acquired land in Bathview and opened a new convent in 1850, featuring a four‑roomed national school. The Cloister School was constructed in 1910, expanded in 1945, and further enlarged in 1975 with additional classrooms and specialised spaces, supporting a growing and diverse student body.
Applying to Mallow Con 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 Mallow Con 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 Mallow Con National School
How many pupils attend Mallow Con National School?
Mallow Con National School has 246 pupils enrolled, 226 girls and 20 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Mallow Con National School a DEIS school?
No. Mallow Con 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 Mallow Con National School?
Mallow Con National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.