St James National School Durrus
Bantry, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 19 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 11 girls, 8 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17050J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. James National School is a small, vibrant primary school serving the Durrus community in County Cork. The school’s ethos, reflected in its motto “Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí”, promotes the nurturing of young people so that they may flourish. Classrooms are spacious, bright and well‑equipped with libraries, computers and interactive whiteboards, supporting a balanced curriculum that blends traditional literacy and numeracy with modern digital skills. Communal spaces such as a reception hall, resource room and dedicated teachers’ room create a welcoming environment for both learning and community activities. The school benefits from recent refurbishment and a purpose‑built campus opened in 2007. Facilities include a tarmac‑covered playground, upgraded toilets, a small kitchen and storage areas, as well as fire‑safety improvements. The campus is designed to be warm and airy, encouraging a comfortable atmosphere for pupils. Extra‑curricular initiatives, including a green committee and wellbeing programmes, further enhance the holistic development of students and strengthen ties with families and the wider community.
History
The origins of St. James National School date back to 1790 when the original school house was built in Clashadoo and known as Durrus School. In 1937 a new Art Deco‑style building was opened, featuring two large classrooms, separate entrances for boys and girls, and indoor amenities. Throughout the 1950s the school operated with a single teacher, and in the early 1960s it temporarily closed before reopening in 1964. A series of refurbishments in the mid‑1990s upgraded the playground, toilets and interior spaces, but the building was condemned in 1997, prompting the construction of a new school. In June 2007 pupils and staff moved to the new premises, with an official opening ceremony held the following year attended by the Minister of Education and the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Today the school remains a thriving community hub with modern facilities.
Applying to St James National School Durrus
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 James National School Durrus. 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 James National School Durrus
How many pupils attend St James National School Durrus?
St James National School Durrus has 19 pupils enrolled, 11 girls and 8 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St James National School Durrus a DEIS school?
No. St James National School Durrus 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 James National School Durrus?
St James National School Durrus has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.