North Presentation Primary School
Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 288 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 150 girls, 138 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20036J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
North Presentation Primary School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the historic Shandon quarter of Cork city, close to the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne. The school serves a diverse community of boys and girls from a range of cultural and national backgrounds, and it places a strong emphasis on holistic development – nurturing pupils socially, emotionally, physically and academically through a fun and meaningful curriculum. The campus occupies a spacious three‑storey building typical of 1960s Cork schools and offers a blend of indoor and outdoor learning environments. Facilities include a modern astro‑turf yard, a biodiversity garden, a pond, a sensory garden and a covered outdoor classroom, all of which support experiential education. Recent investment under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan has upgraded Wi‑Fi connectivity and provided a bank of Chromebooks, helping to bridge the digital divide for learners at risk of disadvantage. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Presentation Order tradition and, through its patron CEIST, it promotes values of service, community and lifelong learning. A student council, elected by pupils, ensures that the student voice contributes to school leadership.
History
The origins of North Presentation Primary School trace back to a small school founded by Nano Nagle in the 1750s on Philpot Curran Lane near Shandon Street. In 1813 the Presentation Order established a convent on Clarence Street (now Gerald Griffin St). A Victorian‑style school was erected on the convent site in 1871, and the present North Presentation Primary School building was constructed in the 1960s, continuing the long‑standing tradition of Catholic education in the area.
Applying to North Presentation Primary 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 North Presentation Primary 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 North Presentation Primary School
How many pupils attend North Presentation Primary School?
North Presentation Primary School has 288 pupils enrolled, 150 girls and 138 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is North Presentation Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. North Presentation Primary School 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 North Presentation Primary School?
North Presentation Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.