Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa
Killarney, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 246 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 112 girls, 134 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17012B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta An Fhossa is a vibrant primary school serving the village of Fossa, three miles west of Killarney, and the surrounding rural community. The school provides a broad, child‑centred curriculum for junior infants through sixth class, emphasising both academic achievement and personal development. A strong focus on community engagement is evident through regular events such as book fairs, athletics competitions, and team sports, including basketball and football, which foster teamwork and school spirit. The school also benefits from a therapy dog programme, offering pupils additional emotional support and wellbeing opportunities. The campus blends historic charm with modern facilities. The main school building, opened in 1934, retains its original spacious classrooms, while a supplementary classroom added in 1961 continues to be used for teaching. Recent investments have supplied new sports kits and updated learning resources, ensuring pupils have access to contemporary educational tools within a supportive, inclusive environment.
History
The first national school in Fossa was established in 1840. Early records are scarce, but the surviving Fossa Males Register documents enrolments from 1865 to 1903, and a subsequent register covers 1904 to 1990. Female registers begin in 1904, with the most recent entries starting in 1990. A new school building was constructed in 1934, replacing the original 1840 structure; it opened on 25 September 1934 under the patronage of Lord Kenmare. In 1961 a third classroom was added to accommodate growing pupil numbers, housed in a former family home now used by a local hotel. The school’s archives, including the *Leabhar Tinnrimh Laethula* (daily report books), provide detailed insight into enrolment, staffing and building dimensions throughout the 20th century.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa
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 An Fhossa. 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 An Fhossa
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa?
Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa has 246 pupils enrolled, 112 girls and 134 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa 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 An Fhossa?
Scoil Náisiúnta An Fhossa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.