The rising divorce rate in Irish society has consequences which are resonating beyond the family, and schools can find themselves caught in the eye of the storm, having to communicate with parents in conflict over the custody of their children. This article considers the obligations on schools in such a situation, in the context Irish family law, the education rights of parents and the "partnership" approach now central in Irish education law and policy. It also explores the potential liability of schools with respect to the issue of parental child abduction. (Contains 23 notes.)