Scoil Naomh Eltin
Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 401 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 207 girls, 194 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20435A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Naomh Eltin is a vibrant primary school in Kinsale, Co. Cork, dedicated to fostering a warm, inclusive community where every child can grow, learn and succeed. Guided by the motto *Cairde ag Fás is ag Foghlaim* (Friends Growing and Learning), the school places a strong emphasis on building lasting friendships and nurturing a lifelong love of learning through a balanced curriculum that integrates literacy, numeracy and creative subjects. The school is equipped with modern digital resources, having received a 2021 grant that provided each pupil with an iPad, upgraded broadband, and a range of STEAM kits including robotics and coding tools such as VEX and Beebots. These facilities support innovative teaching approaches and enhance problem‑solving and computational thinking skills. A broad programme of extracurricular activities – from debating and gymnastics to swimming, reading buddies and community events – further enriches pupil experience and encourages holistic development.
History
The origins of education in Kinsale date back to 1840 with the opening of the Kinsale Male School, followed by the Kinsale Female School in 1841. In 1845 the Mercy Sisters established a convent school for girls, which grew to over 700 pupils and became a centre for both primary and secondary education. Parallel to this, the Presentation Brothers opened St John’s National School in 1895, serving the town’s boys. After more than a century of separate operation, the two schools amalgamated in response to parental demand for co‑educational provision and Department of Education encouragement for smaller schools to merge. A new 16‑classroom primary school was commissioned in 2011 under the 2012 construction plan, and the community selected the name Scoil Naomh Eltin, honouring the early Irish saint of Kinsale.
Applying to Scoil Naomh Eltin
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 Naomh Eltin. 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 Naomh Eltin
How many pupils attend Scoil Naomh Eltin?
Scoil Naomh Eltin has 401 pupils enrolled, 207 girls and 194 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Naomh Eltin a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Naomh Eltin 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 Naomh Eltin?
Scoil Naomh Eltin has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.