Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa
MALLOW, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 76 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 34 girls, 42 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17362F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole is a co‑educational primary school operating under the Department of Education and the patronage of the Catholic Bishop of Kerry. Situated in the rural village of Rathcoole between Millstreet and Banteer, the school serves 86 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class. It delivers the full Irish National Curriculum and places a strong emphasis on holistic development through a broad programme of music, sport, environmental education and health promotion. The school benefits from modern facilities following a major extension in 2008 that added two contemporary classrooms and a large purpose hall. In summer 2024 a modular building was introduced to accommodate additional learning classes, further enhancing the learning environment. Extra‑curricular provision includes whole‑class tin‑whistle instruction, choral singing, an annual whole‑school musical, swimming lessons at Mallow Swimming Pool, and a wide range of educational field trips covering heritage, science and the arts. St. Brendan’s is committed to environmental stewardship, holding six Green Flags and working towards the Global Citizenship Energy flag, with recycling stations for paper, cardboard and plastic. The school also promotes active lifestyles through athletics, GAA football, camogie, gymnastics and basketball, and has earned the Health Promoting School Award, fostering mindfulness, friendship and healthy choices. An active Parents Association supports the school’s initiatives and community links.
History
The school celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2023, indicating its establishment around 1853. In 2008, under the Department of Education’s Small Schools’ Devolved grant scheme, St. Brendan’s underwent a major extension and refurbishment, adding two modern classrooms and a large purpose hall. To meet the needs of additional learning classes, a modular building was provided in summer 2024.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa has 76 pupils enrolled, 34 girls and 42 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa?
Scoil Náisiúnta Breandan Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.