Schools directory
Schools in Cork
Explore and filter 439 schools across the county.
Browse by town or explore the map
Browse schools by town
Where schools are in Cork
Each badge shows how many schools are in that town, click one to see them all.
Schools in Cork
Cork has 354 primary and 85 secondary schools listed across 78 towns. Compare them by enrolment, ethos, DEIS status, Gaeltacht status and gender using the filters above, then contact a school directly about admissions and term dates.
Applying for a school place
Each school publishes its own admissions policy. Primary places are usually applied for the year before junior infants, apply early, as popular schools keep waiting lists.
Term dates & holidays
Irish schools share a standardised school year. See the full 2026/27 term dates and school calendar for mid-terms, Christmas and Easter breaks.
DEIS & Gaeltacht
DEIS schools receive extra resources to support disadvantaged communities. Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools teach through Irish. Filter above to see which schools in Cork qualify.
Schools in Cork, FAQs
How many schools are there in Cork?
This directory lists 439 schools in Cork, 354 primary and 85 secondary, across 78 towns. Filter above by town, type, DEIS status, Gaeltacht or gender to narrow the list.
How do I enrol my child in a school in Cork?
Contact the school directly for its admissions policy and application form. Primary school places are usually applied for in the year before your child starts (junior infants), and popular schools can have waiting lists, so apply early. Every school must publish an admissions policy setting out how places are offered.
What does DEIS mean?
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) is the Department of Education programme giving extra resources to schools serving communities at risk of disadvantage. 75 schools in Cork have DEIS status.
What are the school term dates for Cork?
Irish schools follow a standardised school year set by the Department of Education, so term and holiday dates are broadly the same nationwide. See our school-holidays pages for the full 2026/27 calendar, mid-terms, Christmas and Easter breaks. Individual schools set a small number of discretionary closure days.
What is a Gaelscoil or Gaeltacht school?
A Gaelscoil teaches through the medium of Irish outside Gaeltacht areas, while Gaeltacht schools serve Irish-speaking regions. Cork has 8 Gaeltacht schools in this directory.