Strawberry Hill National School
CORK
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 315 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 157 girls, 158 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20553G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Strawberry Hill National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school serving the communities of Shanakiel, Sunday’s Well, Hollyhill, Blarney Road and the surrounding areas of Cork. Established in September 2021, the school blends the long‑standing traditions of the former Sunday’s Well Girls’ and Boys’ schools with a modern, inclusive ethos. The motto *Ag fás trí fhoghlaim* (“growing through learning”) reflects a commitment to nurturing each pupil’s strengths within a safe, supportive and stimulating environment. The campus features expansive outdoor play areas and a renowned sensory garden, providing diverse opportunities for experiential learning and sensory development. Facilities also support a broad curriculum that includes robotics, music, and Gaelic language programmes, encouraging intellectual curiosity and creativity. Strong partnerships with parents, the parish, and the wider community underpin the school’s collaborative approach, fostering a vibrant learning community that values the Catholic ethos while promoting inclusivity and lifelong love of learning.
History
Strawberry Hill National School traces its roots to two of the earliest National Schools in the area: Sunday’s Well Girls’ National School and Sunday’s Well Boys’ National School, both founded in 1835 and originally housed together on Strawberry Hill. In 1979 the two schools relocated to a new campus on Blarney Road, where they continued to develop independently. The schools amalgamated in September 2021, adopting the name Strawberry Hill National School to honour their shared heritage while marking the creation of a new, unified institution.
Applying to Strawberry 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 Strawberry 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 Strawberry Hill National School
How many pupils attend Strawberry Hill National School?
Strawberry Hill National School has 315 pupils enrolled, 157 girls and 158 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Strawberry Hill National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Strawberry 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 Strawberry Hill National School?
Strawberry Hill National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.