St Anthonys National School
Ballinlough, Cork
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 581 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12203G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballinlough in Cork City is the setting for St Anthony's National School, an all-boys Catholic primary school taking pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class. Enrolment stands at 581. The buildings have been extended repeatedly over the years, and accommodation now includes a sports hall, a computer room and a small hall alongside the classrooms. GAA and other games feature in school activity. While the ethos is Catholic, the school states that other religions are given due recognition. Its motto is given as "Mol an óige is tiocfaidh sí". The stated aim is to enable each pupil to develop their abilities and make use of their talents, in lessons as much as in sport or performance.
History
Ballinlough's original primary school was co-educational and stood at Churchyard Lane. A boys' national school was built in Beechwood Park in 1965, with 10 classrooms. Rising numbers led to an extension in 1977/78 that added 6 classrooms and a small hall. Fundraising later covered the cost of a sports hall and 6 more classrooms, completed in 1997. Further building work added 13 classrooms and a computer room, and the attic of the original building was converted.
Applying to St Anthonys National 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Anthonys National School. 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 St Anthonys National School
How many pupils attend St Anthonys National School?
St Anthonys National School has 581 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Anthonys National School a DEIS school?
No. St Anthonys National 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 St Anthonys National School?
St Anthonys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.