St Matthias National School
Ballydehob, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 22 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 10 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 13976U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Matthias National School is a small, co‑educational primary school situated on the Durrus Road just outside the village of Ballydehob, West Cork. Managed by the Church of Ireland, the school provides education for children aged 4 to 12 years and currently has around 36 pupils on roll. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Anglican tradition, promoting a safe, happy environment where each child is nurtured and valued. Emphasis is placed on holistic development, encouraging intellectual, academic, sporting, social and spiritual growth through the Revised Curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school building, originally constructed in 1901 and modernised in 1988, offers contemporary classroom facilities and access to outdoor spaces used for sports, swimming, and community events. Regular programmes such as a four‑week summer school, sports day, open‑water swimming week, and the Creative Schools Programme enrich the curriculum and foster creativity, cultural awareness and physical wellbeing. The school works closely with parents and the wider community, recognising the importance of family involvement in a child’s social and emotional development.
History
St. Matthias National School welcomed its first pupils in 1827, establishing a long‑standing presence in the West Cork community. The current school building was erected in 1901, later renovated and officially re‑opened in 1988. Over the decades the school has continued to serve the catchment areas of Ballydehob, Schull, Dunbeacon and Kilcoe, adapting its facilities and programmes to meet contemporary educational standards while retaining its historic roots.
Applying to St Matthias 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 Matthias 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 Matthias National School
How many pupils attend St Matthias National School?
St Matthias National School has 22 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 10 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Matthias National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Matthias 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 Matthias National School?
St Matthias National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.