Scoil Oilibhéir opened on September 1st, 1983 with a teaching staff of eleven teachers and a pupil enrolment of 345 pupils in classes from infants to fourth class. The members of the founding staff were:

• Séamus Ó hAodha     Founding Príomhoide
• Séamus Ó Dálaigh     Founding Príomhoide Tánaisteach (now Príomhoide)
• Carmel Uí Shuilleabháin  
• Diarmuid Breathnach   
• Filimín Uí Bhroin (now Príomhoide Tánaisteach)
• Réamonn Ó Riain   
• Micheál Ó Cochláin
• Máirtín Ó Gliosáin  
• Áine Uí Airtnéada
• Áine Ní Chonaill ( Uí Argáin)
• Máirín Uí Dhorcháin

Scoil Oilibhéir was officially opened in April 1984. The community in Ballyvolane had been waiting several years for their new school, which they knew would become the focal point of this fledging community that had little if any facilities. From an early stage, it was evident that the parents had a clear understanding about the quality of teaching and learning they wanted for their children. It was also clear that they would not be slow in demanding it. They had decided that they had wanted a co-educational school by plebiscite. Indeed, they had already taken the not inconsiderable step of changing their children – from senior infants to fourth class – from over nine schools in neighbouring parishes. Their total support for the new school however was very evident even at this early stage. As a staff, the teachers were very conscious of the challenge facing them.

Increasing enrolment numbers were a great source of affirmation for everybody and in 1987, the first extension was built and officially opened. Five years later in 1992 we got our first set of pre-fabricated classrooms. Two further pre-fabricated classrooms arrived in 1996 while yet another followed in 2000. By this time, enrolments had risen at one stage to over 950 making it the largest school in Cork at the time.

As we celebrated our 21st anniversary in 2005, we marked the occasion by, among other events, opening Cill Barra – a block of specialist rooms - and yet another pre-fabricated classroom. Over three years ago, the Board of Management put in an application to the Department of Education and Science for a permanent building to replace the pre-fabricated classrooms and we await further news on that matter. Meanwhile enrolment pressures continue – we have 811 pupils at present – and we have had to limit our junior infant intake due to lack of accommodation.

Our present staffing consists of Principal, Deputy Principal, 37 teachers, 16 Special Needs Assistants, 2 caretakers, a secretary, a general assistant and some other part-time staff. Because of our pupils’ reasonably comfortable backgrounds, Scoil Oilibhéir is the only school in the north side of Cork not to benefit in any way over the years from the multiplicity of Department of Education and Science disadvantage schemes. However, when St. Aidan’s Community College – our neighbouring second level college that benefits from disadvantaged status because of its wider catchment area – became involved in the School Completion Programme in 2003, we also became part of the programme as a linked school. This initiative is a welcome addition to the fabric of our school and is making a difference to some of our most vulnerable pupils.

Our own pupil profile has changed over the past twenty-one years and we have become a more inclusive community. We welcome to our school our Traveller pupils and our international pupils, Obviously, this is gradually leading to a greater mix within our school community.

Highlights in Scoil Oilibhéir would include –

• Parental involvement in so many aspects of school life
• The lovely happy outgoing nature of our pupils
• The musical achievements of our pupils
• Our orchestra – 8 times winners in Feis Maitiú Quality of our choir and our Vocal & Instrumental Music Programme
• Excellent musical productions over the years including Oliver (twice) and Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• The sporting achievements of our pupils
• The number of in-house competitions provided for our pupils over the years
• The 1992 hurling, football, camogie treble in the top division in the primary schools’ competitions
• The range of games played by pupils over the years in our school – hurling (indoor and outdoor), football, soccer, camogie, girls football, hockey, tennis, volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming.
• Our ability to celebrate particularly the 10th and 21st anniversaries
• The academic success of our past pupils 
• The many visitors to our school including
• Former President Mary Robinson
• Several Ministers for Education
• Chief Inspector  of Department of Education & Science
• Director, President & Deputy President of IPPN
• Dr. Charles Cripps who inspired our CAPER programme
• All-Ireland Winning Teams in many sports
• Local Clubs