Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora
Waterfall, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 328 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 158 girls, 170 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18428O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naisiunta Baile Nora is a Catholic co‑educational primary school located in the rural townland of Ballinora, on the western fringe of Cork City. The school provides a nurturing environment for roughly 300 pupils, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and joy in learning. Its curriculum follows the Irish primary syllabus, delivering instruction in Irish (Gaeilge), English, Mathematics, Science and a broad range of creative and physical subjects. Emphasis is placed on holistic development, with programmes that encourage exploration, creativity and community involvement. The school benefits from modern learning resources, including interactive whiteboards, iPads for spatial‑awareness lessons and a Smart‑Phone Charter that promotes responsible use of technology. Environmental stewardship is a key feature, with an active Green Schools Committee that implements energy‑saving measures and recycling initiatives. A virtual tour and regular updates via social media give families insight into daily life, while extracurricular activities such as sports, art projects and local field trips enrich the pupil experience.
History
Scoil Naisiunta Baile Nora has served the Ballinora/Waterfall community for over 170 years. A comprehensive history of the school, compiled by former principal Micheál Ó Draighneáin and staff, was updated following the “Reeling in the Years” history night in 2023, incorporating interviews with past pupils. The documentation highlights the school’s long‑standing Catholic ethos, its evolution alongside the local area and its continued commitment to providing quality primary education.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora
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 Náisiúnta Baile Nora's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora. 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 Náisiúnta Baile Nora
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora?
Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora has 328 pupils enrolled, 158 girls and 170 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora 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 Baile Nora?
Scoil Náisiúnta Baile Nora has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.