St Gabriels Special School
Curraheen Rd.,, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 54 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 16 girls, 38 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20074R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Gabriel's Special School is a Catholic primary school located at Murphys Farm, Curraheen Estate, Bishopstown, Cork. It caters primarily for children aged 4 to 18 with severe intellectual disabilities, including those with autism and complex needs. The school follows the Primary School Curriculum with some elements of the Junior Cycle. Subjects include Communication and Language, Mathematics, Social Personal and Health Education, Physical Education, Arts Education, and Social, Environmental and Scientific Education. Religious instruction is provided, and pupils are prepared for First Holy Communion and Confirmation if parents wish. The school describes its aim as enabling each pupil to develop their abilities in social, physical, emotional, communication, thinking, spiritual and vocational areas, and to be as independent as possible in daily life. The school team includes teachers, special needs assistants, a multi-disciplinary team, ancillary staff and the Board of Management. Parents are encouraged to cooperate as partners in their child's education, and a Parents' Association operates for parents, guardians and carers.
Applying to St Gabriels Special 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 Gabriels Special 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 Gabriels Special School
How many pupils attend St Gabriels Special School?
St Gabriels Special School has 54 pupils enrolled, 16 girls and 38 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Gabriels Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Gabriels Special 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 Gabriels Special School?
St Gabriels Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.