St. Mary's On The Hill National School
Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 195 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 99 girls, 96 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19714U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mary’s on the Hill National School is a mixed primary school situated on the north side of Cork City, in the vibrant community of Knocknaheeny. The school caters for children from Early Start pre‑school through to sixth class, offering a broad curriculum supported by a dedicated team of 30 teachers, 14 SNAs, childcare workers and ancillary staff. Facilities include an Early Start pre‑school, the Playland Créche, three specialist autism classes and a class for pupils with mild learning difficulties, ensuring that a wide range of educational needs are met within an inclusive environment. Recent investment in high‑speed broadband through the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan enhances digital learning opportunities for both pupils and staff. The school’s ethos centres on celebrating each child’s uniqueness and fostering personal growth in a safe, secure and attractive setting. The mission statement emphasises mutual support, respect, and the development of happy, confident learners. A rich programme of extracurricular activities, parent‑school partnerships and community events underpins the holistic approach, encouraging pupils to thrive academically, socially and emotionally while preparing them for life beyond the classroom.
Applying to St. Mary's On The Hill 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. Mary's On The Hill 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 On The Hill National School
How many pupils attend St. Mary's On The Hill National School?
St. Mary's On The Hill National School has 195 pupils enrolled, 99 girls and 96 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Mary's On The Hill National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Mary's On The Hill National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of St. Mary's On The Hill National School?
St. Mary's On The Hill National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.