Scoil Na Croise Naofa
Mahon, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 193 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 96 girls, 97 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17024I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil na Croise Naofa, locally known as Holy Cross School, is a co‑educational primary school that welcomes children from Early Start (age 3) through to 6th Class. The school’s ethos is built around its motto “We Welcome, We Encourage, We Learn”, reflecting a commitment to nurture the intellectual, physical, social, personal, spiritual, moral and aesthetic development of every pupil. A caring, safe and challenging environment is provided, where diversity is celebrated and each child’s individuality is respected. The school day is structured to support balanced learning, with a start at 8:50 am, designated morning and lunch breaks, and an early‑start session for the youngest learners. Facilities are designed to accommodate a vibrant community, offering dedicated spaces for classroom learning, play, and specialised activities such as robotics and heritage projects. Strong partnership between parents and staff underpins a collaborative approach that aims to inspire a love of learning and maximise each child’s potential.
History
Scoil na Croise Naofa operated as an all‑boys school from its establishment in 1984 until 2004. In 2005 the school became co‑educational, opening its doors to girls and expanding its community. The school continues to build on this legacy, fostering an inclusive environment for all pupils.
Applying to Scoil Na Croise 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
View Scoil Na Croise Naofa's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Na Croise Naofa. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Na Croise Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Na Croise Naofa?
Scoil Na Croise Naofa has 193 pupils enrolled, 96 girls and 97 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Na Croise Naofa a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Na Croise 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 Scoil Na Croise Naofa?
Scoil Na Croise Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.