Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough
Cork
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 215 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17313P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Ballinlough is a warm, welcoming and inclusive primary school that has been at the heart of its community since the 1940s. The school follows a holistic educational philosophy, giving equal priority to the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic and creative development of each pupil. Over eight years of attendance, children are encouraged to become well‑rounded learners, confident in both academic pursuits and personal growth, with a strong emphasis on music, the arts and a thriving extracurricular programme. The campus blends historic charm with modern facilities. The original building, dating from the 1940s, housed three classrooms with traditional fireplaces, while a 1999 extension added two further classrooms, a spacious hall and a staffroom to accommodate the growing enrolment. Uniforms reflect the school’s heritage, evolving from the first navy gymslip to the current wine‑coloured blazer and badge. A vibrant school life is supported by active choirs, STEM activities, community projects and regular news updates that celebrate student achievements and community involvement.
History
Our Lady of Lourdes National School opened before Easter 1944 in the former Blackrock Parish, following the laying of its foundation stone in 1943 by Canon Murphy. The school began with roughly sixty pupils aged four to twelve, three classrooms, a large cloakroom and a senior room equipped for cooking lessons, all heated by fireplaces. Early growth saw the addition of three extra classrooms and the decoration of the Infant room with original paintings by Miss Kathleen Lynch, some of which remain today. The school earned the “Carlyle and Blake” award for excellence in its early years. A succession of principals guided the school through the decades, with notable milestones including the introduction of the first school uniform in Cork and the formation of celebrated choirs such as the Victoria Singers and the Knockrea Singers. In 1999, Minister Mícheál Martin opened a new extension comprising two classrooms, a hall and a staffroom, reflecting the continued increase in pupil numbers. The school today upholds the high academic and cultural standards set by its founders.
Applying to Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough
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 Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough. 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 Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough
How many pupils attend Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough?
Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough has 215 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough a DEIS school?
No. Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough 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 Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough?
Our Lady Of Lourdes National School Ballinlough has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.