Good Primary School near U.C.C. in Cork?

mary70

Looking for advice on a good primary school in Cork for my son. I have had one strong recommendation from a future work colleague whose son attends a local school but I would prefer an independent voice. I'd be very grateful as I am not from the area. My son is currently in an all boys school, 2nd class, regular primary school, doing reasonably well. We would not be moving him were it not for work commitments. Thank you so much, Mary.

mary70

Still waiting for advice through Boards.ie. Funnily enough, I got a phonecall tonight and the caller mentioned the same school as had been recommended to me by my future colleague. I'm assuming that's a good sign but I'd be interested to hear the views of totally independent parents or past pupils. Mary.

overmantle

Over the past ten years I have done alot of sub teaching in almost all of the schools in that area. I'm now no longer working in teaching so I hope I'll be able to give you an unbiassed opinion.
Alot depends on whether you have boys or girls. In your case you mentioned a boy.
I would say Glasheen Boys and Gaelscoil Ui Riada are very good. (Glasheen is a little nearer to UCC). You also have St. Josephs. If it's Girls, you have Glasheen, St. Catherines Model Farm Road and there's always Cork School Project which is in town.
I had good experiences in all schools but if I had to choose one for your son, it would probably be Glasheen Boys. It is a really lovely school. If you google Glasheen Boys, I'm sure you will find all the information you need.

smch8382

My suggestion would be St. Joesph's. It's an all boys school practically across the road from UCC and is a very good school. My brother went there from 2nd to 6th and really enjoyed it. Granted it was a good few years ago but i think the school still has a very good reputation. Best of luck!

byhookorbycrook

Many Gaelscoileanna will not take children at that age from English speaking schools, it's not fair on the child.

Johnnyjump

I am a past pupil of Glasheen Boys School and my brother is still there. I really enjoyed primary school and have to say it was a very happy place. Theres been brilliant changes there in the past few years. They have interactive whiteboards in all the classrooms (We didn't have any of them in secondary school and they're still a rare sight in U.C.C.).
They have lots of great teachers. My brother plays lots of sport there and my neighbour was in their All-Ireland winning Quiz team. I went back and did transition year work experience there five years ago and even then the place was really colourful and everyone really welcomed me.
If you're looking for a good school, you have a choice but if you're looking for a great school, it's Glasheen Boys is your best bet.

overmantle

I agree with 'Byhookorbycrook' about the Gaelscoileanna. I know it's not fair to send a child in second class, who has been in a regular primary school, into a Gaelscoil. I just mentioned that the Gaelscoil was one of the good schools in that area.
I mentioned Glasheen Boys as a suitable school that I would recommend for Mary 70's son. I've since met a friend whose son now goes to Glasheen. She said her son was in the new U.C.C. Creche and it's only 200 metres from Glasheen school and that most of the children from UCC creche go to Glasheen.
When I heard her say that, I thought I should pass it on to Mary70.
All the best with your decision.

Myhairspray

I work in the Bon Secours which is right next door to UCC. My children have all gone to Glasheen School. I'm delighted with Glasheen and would recommend it very highly. Teachers and principal are very approachable. There's a great atmosphere there. I sent my children there on the advice of a colleague and I never looked back.

Johnnyjump

Hi Mary70. During a visit to this site last week, I made a post on your question about schools in the area of UCC. Being a proud past pupil, I suggested Glasheen Boys' School.
I know that the school has won lots of quizzes in the past few years and they were in the All-Ireland Finals for the past few years. I just heard tonight that they qualified this evening from the regional quiz final here in Cork. I think it was only held today. Don't have any more details.
As I said last week, I went there, my brother goes there. If it's a good school you want, you have a good choice. If it's a great school you're looking for ........then I think you know where I would recommend.

autograph

Don't forget Greenmount School. Theres a small school at St Marys of The Isle too. I would agree with most of the people here. Glasheen has a great reputation. So Mary, it's a matter of choice. If you still can't decide, look up their websites, make an appointment to visit the schools, meet the principals, look around the schools, soak up the atmospheres and then decide.

mary70

I wanted to get back to you all as I appreciate your comments. Thanks so much to you all who helped me make my decision, with great, independent advice. Your views confirmed for me, what I had already been told by my colleague and another friend but now my mind is at ease.
Thank you also to Autograph. Your advise was excellent. I actually visited the school that most people mentioned here, had all my questions answered and soaked up the atmosphere.
I'm delighted with my choice and thank you again. Mary.

Myhairspray

Mary, delighted to hear you have been fixed up. I'm trying to read between the lines but think you have chosen to send your son where my children went to school. I mentioned that I work in The Bon Secours which is nextdoor to UCC and around the corner from Glasheen.
Speaking as somebody who came to the area and didn't know too many people 15 years ago, I was thrilled to get a few pointers from those already familiar with schools, extra curricular etc. If you would like to contact me, I would be very happy to give you the benefit of anything I have learned or if you would like to pose any questions through Boards, I would be delighted to help as I was once where you are now.

mary70

Thanks so much for the offer of advice. I have sent a request to you which I presume you will get through your email (I'm relatively new to this). I don't like mentioning schools by name as I am sure they are all very good. I will be sending my son where your children attended as that was the school that had been recommended to me originally and I got good feedback through this site, from talking to others and from visiting the school.
I know very few people in the area, so I would be thrilled to meet you at some stage. As you said, I am now where you once were.
Mary.

Myhairspray

Mary, Delighted I was able to be of help and I'll look forward to chatting again soon.
I was on another website earlier and there's another post about schools close to U.C.C.. When I discovered it, I thought I should get back to you all. There's a slightly different slant to this thread here and there seems to be more extra-curricular stuff covered as well. The overall views seem to be broadly similar, however. If interested, it's on www.schooldays.ie
Hope that's helpful.

LucyS

overmantle wrote: »

I've since met a friend whose son now goes to Glasheen. She said her son was in the new U.C.C. Creche and it's only 200 metres from Glasheen school and that most of the children from UCC creche go to Glasheen..

Relatively few members of UCC staff live in the Glasheen area as it is very much viewed as a student rental area. For that reason most children in UCC creche tend to disperse and would go on to a wide range of primary schools across Cork city and county and most would not go to primary school in Glasheen.

overmantle

Hi LucyS. U.C.C. is one of the biggest employers on the western side of Cork city. Employees and students come from all over the city suburbs and beyond. Staff and students, depending on their circumstances, very often have their children minded and attend school in their own local areas.
Having seen your most recent post, I rang my friend to check the details I had posted earlier. She is a mature student in U.C.C.. She confirmed that several children, whose parents wanted them to remain close to their place of work/study, choose to and have chosen to send their children to school in Glasheen. She has several friends who have done so.
Various others, choose to disperse. I didn't say it was the only place the children from the creche go but mentioned it as I thought it might be helpful to Mary70.

Fairdues

Having attended UCC, I have followed this thread as an interested observer. Having seen a post this evening, I thought I should tell my story.
As a mature student, my son attended the modern, magnificent, purpose-built UCC Creche just off the College Road, near Brookfield. I felt very lucky to have such a facility. I later sent my son to Glasheen Boys School as its just up St Francis Ave, onto Lia Lawn and you're there.
I am one of several parents who have done so.
Lucy made the point that various parents choose to send their children to their local schools which could be quite considerable distances away. This is true. Many parents, however, want to have their children closeby. I was one of those parents.
There is also a very good aftercare facility in Glasheen school where some parents choose to send their kids, while others can continue in UCC creche. Just felt I had to clarify that as I have been there, seen that, done that and am now wearing the T-shirt. (Incidentally I am very happy with the school and was also very happy with UCC Creche.)

Johnnyjump

LucyS wrote: »

Relatively few members of UCC staff live in the Glasheen area as it is very much viewed as a student rental area. For that reason most children in UCC creche tend to disperse and would go on to a wide range of primary schools across Cork city and county and most would not go to primary school in Glasheen.

As a recent contributor to this thread, I got emails to alert me that there were further posts. I have just read this one with interest.
While I am now in UCC,I am a past pupil of Glasheen School , where my brother still attends.
I'm not sure if Lucys realises this but Glasheen is a very popular school, not just with people from the surrounding areas but also places as far away as Mallow, Macroom, Midleton, Ballincollig and so on.
In UCC, I still have Glasheen school friends who are from Douglas and Ballincollig, for example (one of whose father worked in UCC).
My brother still attends Glasheen and has friends from all around the western suburbs, as well as Lehenaghmore, Rochestown and Sundays Well. Parents of these pupils work in several places that are close to Glasheen, including UCC.

LucyS

Both my husband and I work in UCC and neither of us are aware of anyone who has sent their children to UCC creche now sending their children to Glasheen. I'm sure Glasheen is an excellent school and I'm sure children do move on from UCC creche to Glasheen. I'm just expressing doubt at the veracity of overmantle's statement that 'most of the children from UCC creche go to Glasheen'.

Fairdues

Lucys. I'm glad you've acknowledged that children from UCC Creche (Officially known as Creche Cois Laoi) attend Glasheen. Since I've last posted, I've spoken to other parents and actually realised that there are more children in Glasheen who formerly attended Creche Cois Laoi, than I had actually realised.
To be fair, LusyS, your comment was actually extremely misleading. By dismissing Glasheen as 'a student rental area' you went on to say that 'For that reason most children in UCC creche tend to disperse....'. As Johnnyjump has outlined, Glasheen is a very popular and really excellent school and children attend there from all over the city. Several of those children have parents who either study/studied in UCC (like me) or work in UCC. In my son's class there are also boys from considerable distances outside the city. I spoke to my son's teacher this morning and she was surprised to hear of your comments as a new boy even started in the school last Wednesday, apparently, whose Dad has started work in UCC.

mary70

Seeing as I was the original person who posted this thread, I have been notified of further postings.
Firstly I want to thank you all for your comments and suggestions. They have been very helpful.
Secondly, as an employee of U.C.C., I had spoken to future colleagues before making this thread. Between students and staff, there are several thousand people who attend U.C.C. each day. Quite a few different individuals have now mentioned Glasheen school to me and one individual mentioned St. Josephs.
Thirdly, I purposely did NOT want to mention the names of any schools myself in any of my earlier postings, or be seen to be showing any favouritism towards any particular school.
Fourthly, my son is probably too old to start in U.C.C. creche and I would imagine that a small % of parents in U.C.C. can or do send their children there (though I'm told it's excellent but places are limited).
Finally, I'm sure that parents send their children to a variwety of schools, depending on a variety of circumstances. We will not be living immediately adjacent to U.C.C. but have decided to send our son to Glasheen. I have done my research (aided in no small way by this thread). I have now spoken to several parents (some of whom work in U.C.C.), I visited the school and I really am very happy with my choice.

mary70

I also wanted to say that I am sure that there are several other very good schools, where our son would be equally happy, perhaps. I really didn't want to mention any schools by name but I felt it was my duty to respond to Lucy as her comments did not tally in any way with all of my research over the past couple of months.

Fairdues

Everybody is talking about how brilliant the Glasheen Boys were in their performance at The City Hall the other night. It was 4th class (My little fellow is younger). I'm really sorry I missed it cos I saw them doing another play in The Christmas Concert and they were absolutely breathtaking.
I have heard so many people talking about it that I'm going to suggest to the school that they put on another performance for all us parents who missed it.
The school is also in the all ireland quiz finals next week.
I'm sure Mary70 will be very, very pleased with her decision. It's a really really fantastic school.

Myhairspray

I am amazed that quite a few of my work mates have mentioned that they had seen this thread. They saw it independently of me. Perhaps one mentioned it to others, I don't know.
The general concensus is though that it is a wonderful idea. When people are looking for information, sometime strangers can be helpful in forming your decision.
I know from my limited contacts with Mary70, she's very pleased too. I just wanted to give a word of praise to this website.

Fairdues

Some more good news for Mary70! I posted last week on this thread and said that Glasheen Boys school was due to be in the All Ireland Credit Union Quiz Finals in Dublin last Sunday. As schools are on holidays, I was waiting to hear up to date news, which I received today.
Apparently, 25,000 children from all over Ireland, North and South, took part in this quiz, representing 2,500 schools. It was Glasheen Boys 3rd year in a row making the Finals, where 52 teams from all over Ireland made it all the way to the Under 13 Finals. It was also Glasheen Boys 3rd time in a row finishing as one of the top 5 schools in the country.
In 2007, they finished 2nd, they were 5th in 2008 and 4th this year (just 3 points behind the winners).
On behalf of the parents, I want to say a very big well done to the boys, their parents and teachers. We are very proud of you all.

autograph

One of the schools I mentioned as being near UCC was St. Marys of The Isle. I have since discovered that they only take boys up to 1st Class so that would not be of use to Mary70.

Rocky7

One other good school near U.C.C. that hasn't been mentioned is St. Finbarr's Church of Ireland School near St. Finbarr's Cathedral. It's a small school with about five teachers but has a good reputation. I would agree though that Glasheen Boys School seems to be a very suitable choice too and it has a great name..

mary70

My goodness. I asked this question originally last February and Boards.ie, as well as some other enquiries and school visits, provided me with the answers I needed.
I hadn't looked at the thread for quite a while so when I looked at it now, I was quite surprised. I never imagined for one moment that it would be such a popular thread or one that so many people would be interested in. I hope it may have been helpful to others as well as to me. A sincere thanks again to everybody who contributed.
Mary.

Fairdues

Dungeon posted a question about Glasheen Boys school so I am directing her/him to this thread which has some helpful information about this and other schools.

Geog

This is a great thread. Not surprised it got so many hits.

overmantle

Didn't realise this thread was still going. Good on you Mary70! Bet you never expected this response. You can never tell the ones that are going to grab the interest of the posters on Boards.ie. This one obviously did.

Geog

This is a very popular thread as it's had about 2,300 hits so far! Obviously one that's of interest to many people - schools near UCC.
This whole business about the Leaving Cert Paper mix up has lead to a really popular thread on Leaving Cert section where there have been 100,000 views in one day, with well over 2,200 contributions!!!
Having said that, that one relates to a huge news story that affectes 50,000 students and their families. So I suppose, the U.C.C. / schools thread is still very popular, relatively speaking.

Johnnyjump

Just revisited this thread after quite some time and wondered how things worked out for you, Mary70? Was the advice you received here on Boards.ie of help? Hope it was and best of luck.

overmantle

As somebody who participated in this thread some months ago, I just wanted to say the number of people I've heard mentioning it and saying they've found it helpful. Not surprising that it's such a popular thread.

mary70

Sorry but I have been neglectful of my emails etc during the summer. Yes, as I said before, this was very helpful and I hope it will be equally helpful to other parents looking for information on schools close to U.C.C.. When I asked the original question, I thought I might get a reply or two but never envisaged such interest. We are lucky to have good schools close to U.C.C. and I am delighted with my choice.

mary70

All going really well for our DS. A sincere thank you once again to all on Boards.ie and the various posters on this thread.

overmantle

I was speaking to a Boards.ie user recently but can't remember her Boards name. Sorry. I promised to pump this thread up as you were asking me about schools in this area near U.C.C. and this seems to have received alot of good feedback and has been viewed quite alot. Hope it helps.

mary70

Once again, I would like to say a sincere thanks to all who contributed to my original question all those months ago. I had absolutely no clue that my question would provoke such interest. We are extremely happy with the choice we made. Our son has settled very well and the contributions from boards.ie played a part in helping us make our decision. We had heard very good things about the school but having said that, it was when we visited the school itself and saw everything for ourselves that our minds were fully made up.All I can say is thanks again.

overmantle

I had a conversation recently with 'Susan' and I mentioned a thread on Boards.ie about schools near U.C.C. which was a very popular one. I've bumped it up so you can have a look Susan. Hth. (Hope that helps).

overmantle

This was helpful to Susan some months ago so I am bumping it up again for Noel whom I spoke to recently. Hope you find it useful Noel.

AnnieC00

Hi,

I've recently moved from Dublin to Cork city.

My son is starting primary school in September.
I tried to enrol him in the Cork Educate Together but they don't have any spaces.

Anyone can recommend a progressive type school in the city centre?

Thanks for your help.

Annie

overmantle

Hi Annie. There have been a few threads but I'll bump up one on schools near U.C.C., which is close to the area you are talking about. Hope it helps.

D4RK ONION

I've merged your question in here Annie. Please try searching the forum in the future

AnnieC00

I did search the boards.ie and nothing was coming up about primary school in the area i'm looking for.

I'm looking for a school closer to city centre and not around UCC.
So I'm not sure if it is the right thread.

Although, Glasheen is a good school, it is a good 40 minutes walk form the centre. We don't have a car.
We need a primary school closer the center of the city.

Anyone know about St-Patrick's Infant on Gardiner's Hill. It's 15 minutes walk from our house.

Thanks

overmantle

Annie, Glasheen is no more than a 15 or 20 minute walk from the city centre (maximum). It all depends are where you are living. From what you are now saying, it sounds that you are on the far side of the city, if you are mentioning St. Patrick's, Gardiners Hill. From that part of the city, if you are both going to be walking, then you would be looking at Gardiner's Hill. While I don't know enough to be able to advise you, anything I have heard has been reasonably good. Hope it all works out well for you.

overmantle

AnnieC00 wrote: »

I did search the boards.ie and nothing was coming up about primary school in the area i'm looking for.

I'm looking for a school closer to city centre and not around UCC.
So I'm not sure if it is the right thread.

Although, Glasheen is a good school, it is a good 40 minutes walk form the centre. We don't have a car.
We need a primary school closer the center of the city.

Anyone know about St-Patrick's Infant on Gardiner's Hill. It's 15 minutes walk from our house.

Thanks

Just wondering what you ended up doing Annie? Hope all has worked out for you.

AnnieC00

I got my son into Galsheen. I was told so many times how Glasheen is a great school to send your child too so I decided to go for it. I was surprised that there was still some places available as I was also told how it is difficult to have a place there.

It is a good 40 minutes walk from where I live but for the rainy days, we can take the bus.

Thanks all for you advises.

overmantle

That's wonderful. I know some people from other classes who were on a waiting list for Glasheen Boys so it's great that you got a space in Junior infants. I'm sure your son will get on very well. Thanks for the update.:)