C.B.S. Sexton St.
Limerick
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 349 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64200R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Mhichíl (CBS Sexton St.) is a Christian Brothers secondary school for boys situated in the heart of Limerick City. The college serves roughly 340‑350 pupils and delivers a curriculum that balances rigorous academic study with a strong emphasis on spiritual, moral and personal development. Its mission is to provide a visibly Christian environment where learners can achieve their full potential intellectually, physically, socially and spiritually, preparing them for further education, employment and life beyond school. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, from traditional team sports such as soccer, basketball, cricket and table‑tennis to clubs for coding, chess, Dungeons & Dragons, choir and draughts, ensuring that every student can pursue an interest that complements classroom learning. State‑of‑the‑art facilities are being introduced as part of a major refurbishment and extension project listed on the Department of Education’s 2016‑2021 Buildings List, bringing the campus into the 21st century. A distinctive feature of the college is the J. P. McManus Scholarship programme, which awards eight annual scholarships of €27 000 each, reflecting a long‑standing partnership that has generated nearly €5 million in awards for students since 1996. Admissions are coordinated through the Common Application System, and the school maintains a supportive ethos that encourages parental involvement and community engagement.
History
Coláiste Mhichíl was founded in 1829 by the Christian Brothers to provide education for boys in Limerick City. It operates today under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) and remains an all‑boys institution with approximately 330‑340 students. The college has a notable record of academic success, including being named the “most improved school” in Limerick by the *Sunday Independent* in January 2019. Since 1996 the J. P. McManus Scholarship has been awarded to students, contributing almost €5 million in scholarships. The school is currently listed on the Department of Education’s 2016‑2021 Buildings List, which will see a complete refurbishment of existing facilities and the construction of a modern extension.
Applying to C.B.S. Sexton St.
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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to C.B.S. Sexton St.. 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 C.B.S. Sexton St.
How many pupils attend C.B.S. Sexton St.?
C.B.S. Sexton St. has 349 pupils enrolled. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is C.B.S. Sexton St. a DEIS school?
Yes. C.B.S. Sexton St. is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of C.B.S. Sexton St.?
C.B.S. Sexton St. has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.