Scoil Oilibheir
Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 511 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 270 girls, 241 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19730S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Oilibheir is a large co‑educational primary school located in the Ballyvolane area of Cork City, catering for children from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class. The school embraces a Catholic ethos while warmly welcoming pupils of all faiths and backgrounds. Central to its community spirit are the dedicated ASD classrooms, known as An Droichead, which provide specialised support alongside mainstream teaching. With a current enrolment of around 550 pupils and a staff of over fifty, the school offers a nurturing environment that balances strong academic focus with a rich programme of creative, sporting, musical and dramatic activities. The learning environment is enhanced by modern facilities: every classroom is equipped with interactive whiteboards or data projectors and a suite of iPads to develop digital literacy. A spacious school hall serves as the hub for physical education, concerts, choir and orchestra performances, and the popular “Battle of the Bands”. Extensive outdoor spaces, including a yard and adjacent playing fields, enable a vibrant PE curriculum. The school’s commitment to inclusive education is reinforced by its DEIS status, which brings additional resources for smaller class sizes, literacy and numeracy interventions, and heightened parental involvement.
History
Scoil Oilibheir first opened its doors in 1983 and is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. Since its inception the school has expanded significantly, growing to accommodate over 550 pupils and a broad range of specialist programmes, including the An Droichead ASD classrooms and a strong emphasis on STEM, music and the arts.
Applying to Scoil Oilibheir
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 Oilibheir. 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 Oilibheir
How many pupils attend Scoil Oilibheir?
Scoil Oilibheir has 511 pupils enrolled, 270 girls and 241 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Oilibheir a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Oilibheir 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 Oilibheir?
Scoil Oilibheir has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.