Holy Cross Primary School
New Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry · V93 A096 · Roll number 19487M
Holy Cross Primary School is one of 9 primary schools in or within 3 km of Killarney. Every school in and around Killarney →
What stands out about Holy Cross Primary School
- One of the larger primary schools: 345 pupils, against a typical 131.
- About as many pupils as in 2019/20 (−11%).
- Teaches through English, with Irish as a subject.
- Has special classes for children who need more support.
- 248 girls and 97 boys: more of one than the other.
- Its patron is the Bishop of Kerry; its ethos is Catholic.
Pupils over time
2015/16 to 2025/26Holy Cross Primary School had 345 pupils in 2025/26, down from 401 in 2015/16 (−14%). Girls are 72% of them. Its largest roll was 416, in 2017/18. Its roll rose in 3 of the 10 years.
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year; girls and boys where the lists give them.
No letter for Holy Cross Primary School
Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing schools by them, so this school has no letter and nothing here ranks it. Its facts are the Department of Education’s; its inspection reports are linked below.
What the Department of Education does publish for Holy Cross Primary School is on this page: its pupils each September since 2015/16, girls and boys, its patron and ethos, whether it teaches through Irish, whether it is in DEIS, and its inspection reports.
Newspapers print lists of how many of a school’s leavers go on to college. Those count destinations, not exam results, and depend on who a school takes in; we don’t use them.
Inspection reports on Holy Cross Primary School
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate visits schools and publishes its reports. The reports describe what inspectors saw; they give no overall grade, and we don’t make one. Reports for this school on gov.ie ↗
Inspectors visit every kind of school. Whole-school evaluations look at teaching and learning, leadership and management; subject inspections look at one subject; follow-through inspections check whether earlier advice was taken. Each report is published on gov.ie with the school’s response.
Getting a place at Holy Cross Primary School
Every school admits under its own published admission policy; no admissions numbers are published.
Families apply to Holy Cross Primary School directly. Children can start once they are four and must be in school by six; the school’s yearly admission notice gives the dates for applying and for its decisions.
A school with more applicants than places admits on the criteria in its admission policy, often brothers and sisters, the area it serves and, for post-primary schools, its feeder primaries. A family refused a place can appeal.
Places in special classes and special schools are allocated with the National Council for Special Education.
No figures on applications are published, but the roll shows demand: Holy Cross Primary School has shrunk by 11% since 2019/20. All the schools around Killarney together changed by +7%.
Pupils since 2019/20
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; Department of Education enrolments 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary).
Side by side with the nearest primary schools
2025/26The nearest schools of the same kind, as the crow flies: their pupils, ethos and language. No results: none are published.
Of the 6 nearest primary schools, 1 have more pupils than Holy Cross Primary School. Since 2019/20 its roll has changed by −11%; 5 of the 6 grew faster.
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Cross Primary School | 345 | −11% | Catholic | English | ||
| Scoil Mhuire na Mainistreach | 167 | −11% | Catholic | English | 0.2 km | |
| St Olivers N.S. | 625 | −7% | Catholic | English | 1.6 km | |
| Gaelscoil Faithleann | 245 | −2% | Catholic | All in Irish | 1.7 km | |
| Scoil Bhríde | 129 | +13% | Catholic | English | 3.8 km | |
| Lissivigeen Mxd N.S. | 269 | −7% | Catholic | English | 4 km | |
| Two Mile Community National School | 46 | +77% | Multi-denominational | English | 4.1 km |
The other 123 primary schools in Co. Kerry
| School | Pupils | Since 2019/20 | Ethos | Language | DEIS | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S.N. an Fhossa | 246 | −4% | Catholic | English | 4.8 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cuimin | 113 | −29% | Catholic | English | 4.8 km | |
| Tiernaboul N.S. | 57 | +8% | Catholic | English | 5 km | |
| Loughguitane N.S. | 90 | −11% | Catholic | English | 5.7 km | |
| Coolick National School | 113 | +31% | Catholic | English | 6.9 km | |
| Knockanes Mxd N.S. | 69 | +10% | Catholic | English | 9.9 km | |
| S.N. an Chuilleanaig | 152 | −6% | Catholic | English | 9.9 km | |
| Faha National School | 224 | +5% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Glenflesk N.S. | 35 | +3% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Raheen National School | 34 | −6% | Catholic | English | 10 km | |
| Scoil Atha na mBlath | 59 | −5% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Scoil Barr Dubh | 95 | +13% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Knockaderry Farranfore National School | 53 | −20% | Catholic | English | 12 km | |
| Firies Mxd N.S. | 250 | −8% | Catholic | English | 13 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire agus N.treasa | 120 | −17% | Catholic | English | 14 km | |
| Na Minteoga N.S. | 22 | −15% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Kilgobnet N.S. | 92 | +12% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Scartaglin New Central School | 121 | −5% | Catholic | English | 15 km | |
| Nagle Rice Primary School | 337 | −9% | Catholic | English | 16 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Carthach | 42 | +62% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| S N na Srona | 28 | +0% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Castlemaine N.S. | 123 | +54% | Catholic | English | 17 km | |
| Kiltallagh N.S. | 21 | −34% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 18 km |
| S.N. Gniomh Go Leith B | 131 | +8% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Kilgarvan Central Schl | 99 | +9% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Holy Family National School | 235 | +4% | Catholic | English | 18 km | |
| Cahir National School | 25 | −57% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Muire Gan Smal | 123 | +9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 19 km |
| Scoil Nuachabhail | 98 | −31% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Gaelscoil Naomh Aogain | 179 | −8% | Catholic | All in Irish | 19 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B | 367 | −5% | Catholic | English | 19 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Chárthaigh | 53 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 20 km |
| St Johns NS | 395 | −7% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire B&C | 107 | +7% | Catholic | English | 20 km | |
| Castledrum N.S. | 107 | +4% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Glounaguillagh N.S. | 137 | −1% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Clogher Mxd N.S. | 38 | +9% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Curranes N.S. | 86 | +2% | Catholic | English | 22 km | |
| Gaelscoil Naomh Séamas | 43 | – | Catholic | Some subjects in Irish | ✓ | 23 km |
| Naomh Padraig Measc | 168 | −15% | Catholic | English | 23 km | |
| Fibough National School | 25 | −17% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| S.N. Uaimh Bhreanainn | 209 | +15% | Catholic | English | 24 km | |
| Scoil Realt na Mara | 119 | −20% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Boheshill Mxd | 18 | −42% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Scoil Mhuire | 378 | −6% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| S N an Chroi Naofa | 342 | +26% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 26 km |
| Tulloha National School | 23 | −41% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S.N. Breandan Naofa | 207 | +2% | Catholic | English | 26 km | |
| S N Mhuire na mBraithre | 414 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| St Johns Parochial School | 61 | +49% | Church of Ireland | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Holy Family | 265 | +23% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Loughfouder N.S. | 20 | −35% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Scoil Eoin | 589 | −6% | Catholic | English | 27 km | |
| Curraheen Mxd N.S. | 38 | +3% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 27 km |
| Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn | 415 | +20% | Catholic | All in Irish | 27 km | |
| Tralee Educate Together NS | 88 | −4% | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 28 km |
| Derryquay Mxd N.S. | 32 | −18% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| S.N. Lios Teilic | 211 | −4% | Catholic | English | 29 km | |
| Spa National School | 230 | +8% | Catholic | English | 30 km | |
| S.N. Gleann Beithe | 106 | +41% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 31 km |
| Knockaclarig Mxd N.S. | 47 | +0% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Knocknagoshel National School | 40 | −30% | Catholic | English | 31 km | |
| Scoil Mhuire | 31 | −42% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 32 km |
| Lyre A Crompane N.S. | 28 | – | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| S N Réalt na Mara | 85 | +13% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| Tahilla Community National School | 29 | – | Multi-denominational | English | ✓ | 33 km |
| S.N. Treasa Naofa Mxd | 105 | −28% | Catholic | English | 33 km | |
| S N Mainistir O dTorna | 121 | −26% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| St Brendans N.S. | 43 | −35% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Ardfert Central N.S. | 215 | +6% | Catholic | English | 34 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Micheal | 75 | +12% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| Aghacasla N.S. | 107 | +9% | Catholic | English | 37 km | |
| Freastogail Mhuire Mxd | 52 | +86% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 37 km |
| Lauragh National School | 17 | – | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| An Bhreac Chluain B | 97 | −6% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Eirc | 78 | −31% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Mhuire de Lourdes | 104 | +93% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 38 km |
| Dromclough N.S. | 192 | −23% | Catholic | English | 38 km | |
| S.N. Naomh Brid | 166 | −17% | Catholic | English | 40 km | |
| Castlegregory Mxd N.S. | 147 | +7% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Bhaile an Chrosaigh | 18 | −54% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Cill Cruinn | 97 | −13% | Catholic | English | 41 km | |
| S.N. Cillin Liath | 45 | −13% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 42 km |
| S.N. Cill Lúraigh | 93 | +21% | Catholic | English | 43 km | |
| Realt na Maidne | 166 | −11% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| Listowel Presentation Primary | 186 | −23% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail | 136 | +81% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 43 km |
| Scoil Naomh Iosef | 38 | −5% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 43 km |
| S.N. Muire Gan Smal | 40 | +100% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 44 km |
| S.N. Eoin Baiste | 112 | −6% | Catholic | All in Irish | 44 km | |
| Ballyduff National School | 96 | −21% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 45 km |
| S.N na Faille Móire | 77 | +38% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Scoil Chriost Ri | 14 | −39% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Scoil Naomh Erc | 129 | −16% | Catholic | English | 45 km | |
| Scoil Chorp Chríost | 91 | +7% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| S.N. Sliabh A Mhadra | 107 | −27% | Catholic | English | 46 km | |
| Coolard Mxd N.S. | 82 | −32% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| Eiltin Naofa | 71 | −36% | Catholic | English | 47 km | |
| S.N. an Chlochan | 55 | +57% | Catholic | All in Irish | 49 km | |
| Murhur N.S. | 78 | +15% | Catholic | English | 50 km | |
| Caherciveen N.S. | 148 | +24% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 50 km |
| Scoil Íosagáin | 202 | +15% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 51 km |
| St Finians | 110 | +10% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S.N. an Leana Mhoir | 19 | – | Catholic | English | ✓ | 52 km |
| Crochan Naofa N.S. | 49 | +14% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| Scoil na mBraithre | 67 | +63% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 52 km |
| Clochar Daingean | 141 | +24% | Catholic | All in Irish | 52 km | |
| Aghatubrid N.S. | 48 | −36% | Catholic | English | 52 km | |
| S N Oilibhear Naofa | 61 | −9% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 54 km |
| S.N. an Ghleanna | 24 | – | Catholic | All in Irish | 54 km | |
| Scoil Easa Dhuibhe | 55 | −2% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| S.N. Cill Conla | 35 | −27% | Catholic | English | 55 km | |
| Tarbert National School | 133 | −1% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 57 km |
| S N Naomh Mhichil | 46 | −10% | Catholic | All in Irish | 58 km | |
| S.N. Ceann Tra Meascaithe | 62 | +3% | Catholic | All in Irish | 58 km | |
| S.N. Dar Earca | 47 | +0% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 59 km |
| Scoil Naisiunta Eirc | 68 | +26% | Catholic | All in Irish | ✓ | 59 km |
| S.N. Mhaolcheadair | 31 | +0% | Catholic | All in Irish | 59 km | |
| Scoil Caitlin Naofa | 8 | −60% | Catholic | All in Irish | 60 km | |
| Scoil an Ghleanna Scoil Náisiúnta Phobail | 29 | – | Multi-denominational | All in Irish | 61 km | |
| Scoil Bhreanainn | 97 | +62% | Catholic | English | ✓ | 62 km |
| Scoil an Fhirtearaigh | 38 | −45% | Catholic | All in Irish | 62 km | |
| S N Naomh Gobnait | 38 | +12% | Catholic | All in Irish | 64 km |
Living in Killarney
The town’s figures, not this street’s.
Homes in the V93 Eircode area
Housing in Killarney →The median sale price rose from €284,000 in 2023 to €330,000 in 2025 (+16%).
New against second-hand, 2023 to 2025
Property Price Register sales in the V93 Eircode routing area, 2023 to 2025.
Renting in Killarney
Cost of living in Killarney →New tenancies in Killarney averaged €1,302 a month in 2025, against €1,201 in 2024 (+8%).
Residential Tenancies Board rent index, new tenancies, 2024 and 2025.
Location
Directions ↗Killarney, V93 A096
Primary schools near Holy Cross Primary School
Nearest first, as the crow flies, up to 25 km. Each school’s own admission policy decides who gets a place.
Questions about Holy Cross Primary School
Is Holy Cross Primary School a good school?
We don’t grade it: Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them. Its inspection reports on gov.ie, a visit and a talk with the principal will tell you more than any table could.
How many pupils does Holy Cross Primary School have?
345 pupils in 2025/26. That is −11% since 2019/20.
Does Holy Cross Primary School teach through Irish?
No: Holy Cross Primary School teaches in English, with Irish as a subject.
Who runs Holy Cross Primary School?
Holy Cross Primary School has a Catholic ethos. Its patron is Bishop of Kerry.
How do pupils get a place at Holy Cross Primary School?
Apply to the school directly. It publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice with its dates; if more children apply than it has places, it admits on the criteria in its policy.
Which schools of the same kind are near Holy Cross Primary School?
The nearest are Scoil Mhuire na Mainistreach (0.2 km), St Olivers N.S. (1.6 km) and Gaelscoil Faithleann (1.7 km).
Sources: Department of Education, school lists 2025/26 (preliminary) and enrolments since 2015/16, CC BY 4.0 · inspection reports on gov.ie, linked by roll number. Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Facts from the Department of Education’s school lists. Listed with Killarney; nothing here rates the school.
Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).