Primary School

Mercy Convent

Killarney, Kerry
Mixed

School Details

Address
New Road, Killarney
Location
Killarney, Kerry
School Type
Primary
Total Enrollment (2025/26)
345 students
Enrollment Split
248 Girls, 97 Boys
Ethos
Catholic
Irish Classification
No subjects through Irish
Gender
Mixed
Roll Number
19487M
Latest Inspection Reports
View on gov.ie

Location

About

Holy Cross Mercy School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated on New Road in Killarney, County Kerry. It welcomes children from Junior Infants to First Class in a mixed‑gender setting, after which the school continues as a girls‑only institution from 2nd to 6th Class. The school operates under the patronage of the Bishop of Kerry and embraces a strong Catholic ethos, centred on the guiding principle “Be Kind”, which underpins a culture of empathy, inclusion and respect for every pupil. The curriculum blends traditional teaching with contemporary methods and technology. As a Digital School of Distinction, every classroom is equipped with digital teaching devices and pupils have access to iPads to enhance learning. A pronounced focus on STEM education has earned the school multiple Curious Minds Awards. In addition, the school provides early‑intervention autism and language‑support teaching, promoting inclusive education for all learners. Holy Cross Mercy is also committed to the wider development of its students. It is recognised as an Active School, encouraging health, movement and wellbeing, and as a Green School, championing environmental responsibility. The school’s facilities support a vibrant, supportive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

History

Holy Cross Mercy School has been delivering education in Killarney since its foundation in 1888. Established under the patronage of the Bishop of Kerry, the school has grown from a small convent‑run institution to a modern primary school that retains its Catholic values while embracing contemporary teaching practices and technology.