St Marys Special School
Rochestown, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 85 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 59 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19759T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Mary’s Special School is a dedicated educational setting for children whose primary diagnosis is a mild intellectual disability, including a cohort of pupils with autism and mild‑to‑moderate intellectual impairment. Situated in a tranquil countryside location in Rochestown, Co. Cork, the school embraces a nurturing, holistic approach that prioritises life‑skills development alongside academic learning. Specialized spaces such as a Life Skills Room, a Sensory Room and a soft Occupational Therapy (OT) room are available to support pupils when they are dysregulated or need a calming break, fostering independence and emotional regulation. The school’s motto, “A Place to Grow”, reflects its commitment to the continuous development of both students and staff. Recent investment has resulted in a newly renovated building with modern facilities, and the addition of five dedicated classes for pupils with autism. In total, St. Mary’s offers twelve classes ranging from lower primary to upper secondary, providing a structured yet flexible curriculum that balances academic, social and functional outcomes. Strong collaboration with families underpins the school’s ethos, ensuring that each child’s potential is maximised within a supportive community environment.
History
St. Mary’s Special School has been operating since 1974. It originally functioned as a boarding school for pupils from Cork and surrounding counties under the leadership of its first principal, Mr Eamon O’Neill (1974‑1998), and the direction of the Brothers of Charity. In 1998 the school transitioned to an exclusively day‑school model. Mrs Mary Conroy was appointed as the second principal in 1999, serving for twenty years before retiring in 2019.
Applying to St Marys 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.
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 Marys 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 Marys Special School
How many pupils attend St Marys Special School?
St Marys Special School has 85 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 59 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marys Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Marys 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 Marys Special School?
St Marys Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.