Scoil Naomh Eltin
School Details
About
Scoil Naomh Eltin is a vibrant primary school in Kinsale, Co. Cork, dedicated to fostering a warm, inclusive community where every child can grow, learn and succeed. Guided by the motto *Cairde ag Fás is ag Foghlaim* (Friends Growing and Learning), the school places a strong emphasis on building lasting friendships and nurturing a lifelong love of learning through a balanced curriculum that integrates literacy, numeracy and creative subjects. The school is equipped with modern digital resources, having received a 2021 grant that provided each pupil with an iPad, upgraded broadband, and a range of STEAM kits including robotics and coding tools such as VEX and Beebots. These facilities support innovative teaching approaches and enhance problem‑solving and computational thinking skills. A broad programme of extracurricular activities – from debating and gymnastics to swimming, reading buddies and community events – further enriches pupil experience and encourages holistic development.
History
The origins of education in Kinsale date back to 1840 with the opening of the Kinsale Male School, followed by the Kinsale Female School in 1841. In 1845 the Mercy Sisters established a convent school for girls, which grew to over 700 pupils and became a centre for both primary and secondary education. Parallel to this, the Presentation Brothers opened St John’s National School in 1895, serving the town’s boys. After more than a century of separate operation, the two schools amalgamated in response to parental demand for co‑educational provision and Department of Education encouragement for smaller schools to merge. A new 16‑classroom primary school was commissioned in 2011 under the 2012 construction plan, and the community selected the name Scoil Naomh Eltin, honouring the early Irish saint of Kinsale.