St Mary's Church of Ireland National School
Carrigaline, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 204 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 93 girls, 111 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18279A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s National School is a co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, situated on a spacious site in Waterpark, Carrigaline, County Cork. The school benefits from extensive outdoor facilities, including multiple playgrounds, grassed areas, a developing school garden, outdoor seating, and a recently installed climbing wall, all of which support learning in a natural environment. Eight mainstream classes and two dedicated classes for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder provide a inclusive setting that caters to a wide range of abilities. The school’s ethos is built around its motto, *Mol an Óige agus tiocfaidh sí* – “Praise the youth and they will flourish”, guiding a holistic approach to education that nurtures spiritual, religious, emotional, intellectual and physical development. The curriculum incorporates the “Follow Me” Religious Education programme, parish links, weekly assemblies and community celebrations, fostering a strong sense of belonging and respect. Recent extensions and refurbishments have modernised the learning environment, reinforcing the school’s commitment to delivering a caring, nurturing atmosphere where every child can achieve their full potential.
History
St. Mary’s National School was founded in 1842. It moved to its current Waterpark site in Carrigaline in 1987 and has recently completed a large extension and refurbishment programme.
Applying to St Mary's Church of Ireland 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Mary's Church of Ireland 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 Mary's Church of Ireland National School
How many pupils attend St Mary's Church of Ireland National School?
St Mary's Church of Ireland National School has 204 pupils enrolled, 93 girls and 111 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Mary's Church of Ireland National School a DEIS school?
No. St Mary's Church of Ireland 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 Mary's Church of Ireland National School?
St Mary's Church of Ireland National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.