St Killians Special School
Mayfield, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 106 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 36 girls, 70 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19410A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Killian’s Special School is a dedicated special‑needs primary school situated on Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork. Established in 1969, the school provides a nurturing environment for children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and multiple disabilities, offering a range of small‑class streams tailored to different ability levels. The curriculum is enriched with therapeutic support, including a Horizons Therapy Team, and a strong emphasis on social‑emotional development through programmes such as *Bí Cineálta* (“Be Kind”) and RELATE training for staff. The campus features a newly‑installed modular classroom and two playgrounds – one funded by a generous donation and a second under construction – providing ample space for outdoor play and sensory activities. Dedicated therapy dogs, Rosie and Bonnie, support pupils’ wellbeing, while the school’s commitment to safeguarding is evident through rigorous child‑protection policies and regular staff training. Uniforms are supplied locally, reinforcing a sense of community and belonging among students and families.
History
St. Killian’s Special School was founded in 1969 as a specialist primary school for children with special educational needs. Since its inception, the school has expanded its facilities and programmes, continually adapting to best support its pupils’ learning and development.
Applying to St Killians 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 Killians 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 Killians Special School
How many pupils attend St Killians Special School?
St Killians Special School has 106 pupils enrolled, 36 girls and 70 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Killians Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Killians 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 Killians Special School?
St Killians Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.