Mhichil Naofa
Bere Island, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 21 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 7 girls, 14 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19525R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Mhichil Naofa is a small, community‑focused primary school situated in Ballinakilla on Bere Island, County Cork. Serving the local catchment of the Beara Peninsula, the school provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to develop academically, socially and emotionally. The curriculum is delivered in line with the Irish national framework, with particular emphasis on holistic wellbeing, as highlighted by the “Nurturing Wellbeing & Learning” resources and dedicated RSE (Relationships and Sexual Education) provision. The school places strong support on inclusive learning, offering specialised guidance for pupils with dyslexia and spelling difficulties, and promotes the Irish language through programmes such as “Gaeilge 2024”. Environmental stewardship is also a key feature, with initiatives under “Climate Action in our School”. Facilities include modern classroom spaces, access to outdoor learning areas on the island, and digital resources that support both HSE‑mandated programmes and broader community engagement. Parents can access a range of information via the school’s comprehensive online portal, including calendars, self‑evaluation reports and board‑level policies.
Applying to Mhichil Naofa
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 Mhichil Naofa. 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 Mhichil Naofa
How many pupils attend Mhichil Naofa?
Mhichil Naofa has 21 pupils enrolled, 7 girls and 14 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Mhichil Naofa a DEIS school?
Yes. Mhichil Naofa is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Mhichil Naofa?
Mhichil Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.