Bruree National School
Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 168 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 71 girls, 97 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 08572P the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Bruree National School is a co‑educational, Catholic primary school situated in the village of Bruree, Co Limerick. The school delivers a full and balanced curriculum that nurtures the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural development of its pupils, while also promoting gender equity and respect for all faiths. Learning is supported by a strong emphasis on literacy, STEM initiatives such as the Discover Primary Science and Maths Programme, and a range of after‑school clubs including art, drama, dance and Gaelic games. The campus comprises seven mainstream classrooms, two specialist resource rooms, a purpose‑built hall for assemblies and physical‑education lessons, and three distinct playground areas tailored to different class groups. Technological provision is robust, with eighteen iPads and ten laptops available for classroom use, enabling pupils to create digital content. The school also participates in national programmes such as the Active School Flag, the GAA 5‑Star Centre and eTwinning, fostering an active, collaborative and community‑focused environment.
History
The original national school in Bruree opened on 12 January 1863 as a single‑room building for 100 children; the site later became the De Valera Museum and Bruree Heritage Centre. Prior to formal schools, local children attended hedge schools in the 1830s. St Patrick’s National School was established in 1967 through the amalgamation of the three parish schools (Bruree, Killacolla and Rockhill). Extensions were added in 1986 (extra classroom, purpose room and staff room) and again in 2016 (two new classrooms, office and staff room), expanding the facilities to their present size.
Applying to Bruree National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Bruree National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Bruree National School
How many pupils attend Bruree National School?
Bruree National School has 168 pupils enrolled, 71 girls and 97 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Bruree National School a DEIS school?
No. Bruree National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Bruree National School?
Bruree National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.