Skibbereen Community School
Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 956 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 461 girls, 495 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91516B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Skibbereen Community School is a multi‑denominational, co‑educational secondary school that blends the Catholic educational traditions of the Mercy Sisters, De La Salle Brothers, and the Diocese of Cork and Ross with the inclusive ethos of the Cork Education and Training Board. The school’s ethos centres on providing a safe, caring and happy environment where every learner can explore the “wonders of learning”. It aims to foster personal, social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical development, encouraging self‑belief and active partnership between pupils, families and the wider community. The campus spans approximately 10 800 sq m on 20 acres and offers state‑of‑the‑art facilities. There are 26 modern classrooms, specialised workshops for woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing, five science laboratories, two fully equipped computer labs, a lecture theatre, a dedicated special‑needs suite, music and arts rooms, a library, a canteen/performance area, a PE hall, a full‑size pitch and five outdoor ball courts. These spaces support a broad curriculum ranging from Junior and Senior Cycle academic subjects to a rich extra‑curricular programme that includes clubs, sports such as rowing, sailing, equestrian and golf, and a vibrant arts scene.
Applying to Skibbereen Community School
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 Skibbereen Community School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Skibbereen Community School. 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Skibbereen Community School
How many pupils attend Skibbereen Community School?
Skibbereen Community School has 956 pupils enrolled, 461 girls and 495 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Skibbereen Community School a DEIS school?
No. Skibbereen Community School 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 Skibbereen Community School?
Skibbereen Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.